As usual, finding dinner place for our gathering or meet-up isn't my department. I'll just be there because I'm in-charge of eating and video + photographer for our group. That's my bestie's job to find places since she is so picky with food. So here we are at this new place (yet to explore) located inside Esplanade Mall and I'm pleased with the location with CBD and MBS in view from the rooftop. If you choose the outdoor seating, it will be so beautiful to chill with a view.
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| The night at CBD |
Inside the restaurant, the ambience was great but kind of dim or supposedly this way. Artsy, classy but for food wise, it was okay but a little on a high sodium consumption that night.
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| Artsy interiors with dome-shaped classy wall features in the dim ambience |
| Our Labubu are out with us for the night |
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| Iberico Pork Secreto, Fig Vincotto (Left); Soft Shell Prawns, Pink Sauce (Right) |
I love their Pork Secreto (shoulder blade of the pig) although my bestie said it tastes like braised meat which we can make at home. Cut into morsels for easy bites (it was tender), and drenched in sweet and aromatic Fig Vincotto. The figs were so soft that it melts in your mouth. I recommend trying this dish if it is your first time.
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| Iberico Pork Secreto, Fig Vincotto |
Now I like the idea of Soft Shell Prawns than the mainstream Soft Shell Crabs. Because it was fried upon each order, the warm and crispy taste was just right. Addictive, really.
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| Soft Shell Prawns, Pink Sauce |
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| Salmon Trout, Ikura, Fiordilatte, Pizzutelli |
We were expecting a big pizza but it came as a personal size pizza. It was fine because we get to try more items in their menu. There is fish roe on top of the pizza, adding some pops together with the thin, crispy crust. It was fine but still loses to the one at Casa Vostra. Expectation went up after Casa Vostra for their thin, chewy and flavourful pizza.
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| That's cheesy! |
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| Iberico Pork Jowl Straccetti, BBQ (Left); Crispy Octopus, Sumac Crema (Right) |
The Pork Jowl (cheek of the pig) dish is basically bacon to me when it was served up. Why am I paying a high price tag for bacons? The only difference between Pork Jowl and Bacon (belly part of the pig) is the uniformity layers of fat and meat, which Pork Jowl isn't. Anyway for sure, it tastes crispy and nice but too salty.
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| Ditch the dips! |
The Crispy Octopus is crispy for sure and chewy too. Guess what taste we got out of the dip? Mayonnaise. However, it was Sour Cream (Sumac Crema) and it tastes just like Mayonnaise. First look at the dip, it looks like a chocolate mousse. This dish is good. Chewy and crispy. If possible, ditch the dip to reduce the saltiness. It really taste better somehow.
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| Crispy on the outside |
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| Cheers and Happy Birthday to us! |
Drink list is wide but we gotten those in the Happy Hours (5-8pm) list. Customers have to at least order drinks and no other requirements (some places need to hit an amount of $100 per pax). We were fine because the purpose is to celebrate our friend's birthday and 人日. Got spritz for them, wine and beer for me.
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| Rooftop view with a MBS (and Labubu) |
To conclude, this is the highest sodium consumption in one meal and all three of us agreed. I have to get 2 drinks to wash down but I doubt it works. They have other food items in the menu so try them out. Excellent CBD view in the night, and MBS too. Enjoy!
BAIA
8 Raffles Avenue, Level 4
Esplanade Mall
Singapore 039802
Nearest MRT: City Hall
8 Raffles Avenue, Level 4
Esplanade Mall
Singapore 039802
Nearest MRT: City Hall
Website: https://www.baia.sg/
Disclaimer: Not a sponsored post. All the above were paid by the writer and friends. All reviews are based on their preference and taste buds and do not represent anyone other than herself and her friends.