VERDE KITCHEN
In line with its mantra of "real food, full of natural flavours", the 32-seat Verde Kitchen serves simple cuisine and a variety of healthy dishes, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and raw food options.
All the menu items are made from scratch in-house every day. More than half of the seafood served is sustainably sourced and carries the Marine Stewardship Council/Aquaculture Stewardship Council eco-labels. All chicken and eggs are certified organic, free-range and lacto-free.
Diners can expect fresh soups, salads and mains packed with superfoods such as wakame, kale, pomegranate, avocado and turmeric. Signature salads include Avocado Composition ($25++, above), with couscous, grapefruit, heirloom tomato, pomegranate, Vertical Garden lettuce and creamy avocado dressing; Green Mango And Quick-seared Tiger Prawns ($29++), with coriander, fresh mint and lemongrass sauce; and a spicy Penang Assam Laksa ($25++), with fish broth, shrimp paste, rice noodles, cucumber, red onion, pineapple and mint.
Heartier options include Free-range Pulled Pork Burger ($28++), with cheddar, purple and white coleslaw on a sunflower seed brioche bun; Organic Basil-crusted Glacier 51 Tooth Fish ($38++), with local mushrooms and thyme jus; and Malay-style Organic Lacto Chicken Curry ($32++), with spicy turmeric curry, organic lady's fingers and brown rice.
The restaurant is committed to supporting the Singapore food economy. Half of the menu incorporates locally and sustainably sourced ingredients.
Suppliers include local independent organic vegetable farms, floating fish farms and free-range lacto poultry farms in Singapore and Johor. Its chefs harvest hotel-grown vegetables from the vertical garden on the property's ground floor.
Where: Level 2 Hilton Singapore, 581 Orchard Road
Open: 10.30am to 5.30pm (Mondays to Saturdays)
Info: Call 6730-3397 or e-mail verdekitchen@hilton.com
13% GASTRO WINE
The wine bar has opened its third outlet in Telok Ayer Street. It also has outlets in Aliwal Street and Killiney Road.
Established in 2015, 13% Gastro Wine serves gourmet food and a wide selection of wines from France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Chile, Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand, curated by in-house connoisseur Bruno Vaillant.
The menu is designed by award-winning chef Geoffrey Weckx and features gourmet European food with a focus on fresh produce and quality housemade dishes. Charcuterie such as rillettes and condiments are made in-house to ensure the most authentic of European flavours.
Seating 48 people (or 60 standing), the Telok Ayer venue also hosts events such as wine masterclasses and party nights and can be hired for private and corporate functions.
It is the only 13% Gastro Wine outlet open for lunch.
Lunch specials include pork rillettes or duck rillettes sandwiches ($8++ each) and Classic 13% Burger ($16++, above), featuring Angus beef, French gherkins, tomato and cheese on a sesame bun, served with coleslaw and a choice of salad or fries.
The restaurant also offers housemade charcuterie and gourmet European cheese boards (from $10++ for an individual serving, also available in mixed platters), as well as larger dishes for dinner.
Where: Level 2 , 123A Telok Ayer Street
Open: Noon to 2.30pm and 5pm to midnight (Mondays to Thursdays), noon to midnight (Fridays), 5pm to midnight (Saturdays)
Info: Call 6224-6885, e-mail contact@13gastrowine.com or go to www.13gastrowine.com
ALOHA POKE
Aloha Poke has opened its sixth outlet at One Shenton Way.
Poke (pronounced poh-kay) is a Hawaiian staple and the choice food of surfers. Traditional Poke (above) comprises seasoned Ahi (tuna) tossed with toasted sesame seeds, sweet onions and scallions. For a heartier meal, it can be consumed over rice and salad.
Fans of Aloha Poke can order the power lunch bowl of fresh greens, white or brown rice, with sashimi-grade tuna or salmon prepared in three signature flavours - Original, Wasabi Mayo or Spicy - topped off with a choice of ingredients such as avocado, pomegranate, edamame and flying fish roe.
Among the tried-and-tested seasonal flavours is the Mentai Salmon, a favourite served at current outlets and soon to be added to the regular menu.
Vegetarians have the option of Nutty Sesame Tofu. New flavours will be included as daily options, including Kimchee Tako (octopus) and Black Pepper Tuna.
New at the One Shenton Way outlet is the Chilled Cooked Seabass Poke in original sauce - for those who prefer cooked fish.
A 10 per cent opening discount is given to all customers until Wednesday, with the usual three-size options, including the Lil Swell ($11.90+), the Standard Bowl ($15.90+) and the Big Kahuna ($19.90+).
Where: 01-01, 1 Shenton Way
Open: 11.30am to 8.30pm daily
Info: Call 6509-8640, e-mail info@alohapoke.com.sg or go to www.alohapoke.com.sg
• Opening a restaurant? Send the details to stlife@sph.com.sg
