Imagine indulging in smoky modern Asian cuisine as you sip on refreshing garden-themed cocktails, all while surrounded by dreamy fairy lights and verdant greenery–without any of that city bustle in the background
If that sounds like the kind of dinner date venue you’d enjoy, you’ll want to give Botanico a visit at its new location.
Nestled within the lush green landscape of Seletar Aerospace Park, Botanico at The Summerhouse offers diners an idyllic escape from the city hubbub from the second floor of a sprawling colonial bungalow.
Accompanying its new home is a refreshed menu that’s quite the departure from its previous line-up of European-style fare. Chef Lamley, executive chef and Head of Asian Culinary Development at 1-Group, has curated a menu spotlighting innovative modern Asian fusion dishes. The menu champions the group’s commitment to sustainable dining, with a farm-to-table focused concept; key ingredients used are either grown in the restaurant’s very own edible garden on the ground floor, or supplied by local farmers and a nearby fishery kelong.
More than just a charming and intimate ambience, diners can also expect unique takes on classic Singaporean dishes. With grilled dishes seared over wood charcoal, binchotan and applewood, hints of nuanced smokiness promise to boost the flavour profile of each dish, all without losing the nutritional values and integrity of the ingredients.
Enough said: here are some of the must-haves.
Foie Gras Kaya Toast (S$12++)
A Singaporean breakfast staple with an unexpected twist–this dish just transformed itself into a luxurious gastronomic delight. What you’ll get is a brioche chargrilled to perfection, with a thick slab of butter and kaya spread generously between the buttered toast. Not just any regular kaya though; it boasts an unadulterated richness of infused foie gras, unique to the restaurant.
Smoked Shrimp Summer Rolls (S$18++)
A fusion of Japanese and Vietnamese fare, the Smoke Shrimp Summer Rolls are loaded with pickled daikon, mugwort, vermicelli, smoked tiger prawns, and ikura, all wrapped up with thin Vietnamese rice paper. The freshness of the vegetables harvested from the edible garden right down a flight of stairs, the smokiness of the tiger prawns and the tanginess from the citrus dressing lends a zesty starter that primes your appetite for what’s to follow.
Sichuan Boiled Fish (S$65++)
Spice-lovers, you’re in for a treat. And for those who have less of a tolerance for the punchiness of mala sauce, you’ll most likely be reaching out for extra servings anyway. Best as a shared dish, the whole seasonal fish is served in a mala sauce peppered with Sichuan peppercorns; having some of the Butterfly Blue Pea Pandan Rice with this dish is the perfect way to enjoy the flavourful sauce (and to quell the spice, too).
Min Jiang Kueh (S$18++)
What’s a meal without wrapping it up with a sweet treat? After you get over the initial surprise of being served the Min Jiang Kueh that looks nothing like the typical peanut pancake–think slabs of peanut ice cream sandwiched between crispy wafer slices and corn sponge–the first bite of this playfully deconstructed take on our local snack will conjure up all the familiar tastes and textures you’re used to.
More than just the above-mentioned, the innovative menu boasts a myriad of delectable selections: from high-quality chargrilled Japanese Wagyu, Wood-fire Grilled Duck, to a twist on the familiar braised pork belly buns (kong bak pau), one would be spoilt for choice. A tip: bring a big group along and you’ll be able to savour a taste of each of the dishes.
Botanico @ The Summerhouse’s new menu is now available for dinner from Wednesdays through Sundays, and the brunch menu is available on the weekends as well as public holidays.
