Day: March 13, 2018

It’s daunting to decide on what to eat, especially when you’re entrusted with the decision-making by your group of friends. Whether they’re craving satisfying stir-fries or if you’re into gorgeous grills, kill two (or in this case, five) birds with one stone at Alley on 25.

Providing a holistic experience of local street dining in the comfort of Andaz Singapore’s lush ambience, you could say that Alley on 25 has it all. With 5 restaurants to choose from, diners can tuck into a variety of dishes over a breathtaking view of the city’s skyline. And let’s be honest here: who could say no to that?

If you’re thinking of popping by, here’s the lowdown on what each of the restaurants has to offer.

 

Icehaus

If the name hasn’t given it away already, Icehaus specialises in cold dishes such as seafood on ice, cold cuts, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. And by desserts, we mean they dish up quality Italian soft-serve ice cream from in-house specialist dessert machines. They’ve even got a special collaboration with Neh Neh Pop, owned by local Singaporean Chef Bjorn Shen; get your hands on the Andaz Pop, a palm sugar-coconut ice cream and red bean-caramel filled popsicle, coated with pandan-flavoured white chocolate.

Diners looking for a refreshing start to their meal will appreciate the Heirloom Tomato Salad. Tomatoes of various colours stand out against the basil, whole olives, and a splash of apple balsamic vinegar and Tuscan olive oil. A mishmash of greens, yellows, and reds, the colours tempt you to take a bite.

On the other hand, the Boston Lobster Rolls come as a triad of warm, autumn hues. Comprised of brioche rolls with lobster filling, it’s simple and straightforward. A mouthful of each gives you springy clusters of lobster meat, coated in tangy chipotle mayonnaise with creamy avocado. We liked how the refreshing tomatoes and jalapeños cut through the flavours as well.

 

Auntie’s Wok & Steam

Entering Auntie’s Wok & Steam is akin to stepping into your favourite aunt’s kitchen where smells of familiar stir-fries welcome you with open arms. You’ll also notice that the tables here have more seats too, staying true to the Chinese tradition of enjoying big family meals together.

One of the signatures here is Auntie’s Ma Po Silken Tofu, which is actually quite different from the usual Ma Po dishes you’re used to. Auntie’s version is a lot gentler to the palate; silky tofu cubes are stir-fried in a thick and tangy sauce with luxurious Alaskan king crab and crisp wood ear mushroom.

Pair that with their Organic Fried Rice, a glorious mound speckled red and white with shreds of crab meat, egg, and slivers of asparagus. Auntie Wok & Steam’s servings are also extremely generous (read: GINORMOUS), so don’t forget to bring your #foodsquad for this one.

 

Plancha’Lah!

Plancha’Lah! is a mash-up of two words: the Spanish word ‘a la plancha’, meaning to cook on the griddle and the common Singlish expression ‘lah!’. Much like its name, this eatery offers its diners Asian-inspired fare done through the Spanish griddle-cooking method. Plancha’lah has a smaller dining space, but the intimate setting allows diners to have a full view of what the chefs here can do.

Order the Patagonian Toothfish “en papillote” for a little performance to remember. Watch as the chef seasons and cooks the toothfish, fennel, shimeiji mushrooms, and tomatoes right in front of you before placing everything into a cooking bag. This is where the fun starts: the chef splashes a bit of water onto the griddle, getting a nice drastic sizzle before putting the treasured parcel on top to finish it off. It’s served as is, bag and all, so that diners get to open the parcel like a little gift.

We were particularly excited about the Hokkaido Scallops, too. The chef skillfully sears two plump scallops together with green asparagus, sugar snap peas, and trompette mushroom. Everything is plated with a truffle butter finish before it arrives at the table. Creamy, luscious, and inviting, this is definitely a dish to look forward to!

 

The Green Oven

Ok, full disclosure: the massive green oven situated by the entrance of this restaurant is the main draw here. While it adds a rustic touch to the ambience, the oven is also the hearth and home of the kitchen which gives diners an indication that the dishes here spells ‘Comfort’ with a capital C.

The Green Oven takes your everyday Mac & Cheese and gives it a little upgrade; their Lobster Mac & Cheese is an indulgence unto itself. The pasta is al-dente, with lobster chunks and a slathering of cheese that’s crisp on top and molten underneath. If you need a solid pick-me-up, this baby will have you sorted.

For those seeking comfort in the form of something meatier, you can’t go wrong with the Braised Osso Buco. Again, comfort is key: a weighty veal shank and vegetables go into the oven in a bath of Barolo wine jus (yasss). The result is a casserole with its contents fork-tender, dripping with flavour.

Pro-tip: Order a Brumble to go with this meal. A concoction of Phraya rum, Merlet Creme de Cassis, lemon, and vanilla bitters, this rich cocktail make for a perfect pairing. We kid you not.

 

Smoke & Pepper

With barbecued grub and grills as their focus, you can bet that you’re getting flavour, flavour, flavour here.

We dove right into the Black Angus Beef Skewer, presented on a small clay grill with fragrant jasmine rice. The beef cubes are tender, each delicately flavoured with just the right amount of soy-mirin glaze. Have it with the lightly-charred shishito peppers a mild hint of heat. In contrast with the beef is the Crispy Kipfler Potatoes in a rich sour cream and Parmesan cheese sauce. Potatoes, sour cream, AND cheese? You heard us right.

Adding to the lineup of tantalising grills is the Chicken Burger with Teriyaki Sauce and shredded cabbage. Chicken patties tend to lean on the dry side but Smoke & Peppers will impress you with the patty on this bad boy that’s done to a juicy perfection. The sweet and savoury sauce elevates the flavour of the patty, and shredded cabbage gives it texture and crunch. Round up the meal with the Mango-Sago Panna Cotta and coconut ice cream, and you’re good to go.

Find it at 5 Fraser Street, Level 25, Andaz Singapore, Singapore 189354
Book a table at these restaurants through the links below with the code TASTYBLOG and earn 2X the Chope-Dollars:

• Icehaus
• Auntie’s Wok & Steam
• Plancha’Lah!
• The Green Oven
• Smoke & Pepper

 

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