Cover Lazy Man's Cioppino
Lazy Man's Cioppino
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Travel back in time at this restaurant, which serves up a slice of ‘60s California with its themed interiors and modern cuisine
One thing that came out of this Covid-19 pandemic is our stronger desire to travel through food, and F&B group The Dandy Collection feeds our appetite with conceptual restaurants that merge delicious food with themed interior designs. Last year, they introduced us to Firangi Superstar, which is famed for its modern Indian fare and interior design that transport us to a Wes Anderson film.
This time around, they are giving us a blast from the 60s California past with SoCal restaurant, California Republic, at Amoy Street. The restaurant was conceived during the pandemic by co-founder and chief visual officer Michael Goodman and director of operations Mike Pekarsky, who spent a part of their childhood living it up in the Golden State. Apart from their desire to relive the fun moments of this period, the restaurant was also a deeply personal project for Goodman, whose recent trip there was to see his father for the last time.
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With a strong connection to ‘60s California, the co-founders were able to dream up a 65-seater space that on the wall—think nostalgic living room furnished with retro furniture, vintage Hollywood posters and décor, and enlivened by a groovy playlist by quintessential Californian artists like Generationals, Tame Impala and Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
With a striking interior design, the food had to deliver. Thus, the owners tapped on LA-based chef David Almany, who was previously from Osteria Mozza and Angeleno, to design the Californian menu laced with Italian accents.
Dreamin
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It is best to start with cocktails—some of which come in non-alcoholic versions—and light and refreshing appetisers. We recommend the grilled Shigoku oysters with a delicious briny taste offset by the chipotle and bourbon butter.
Handmade pastas are a must here, especially the smoked bucatini, cooked al dente and tossed in a light yet meaty pork ragu and sofrito sauce; and the celery root cappellacci. Resembling tortellini, the parcels are stuffed with a silky smooth celery root puree and bathed in an earthy mushroom sauce accented with sharp parmigiano cheese.
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Above Espresso Budino
Espresso Budino
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When it comes to mains, you can’t go wrong with the Lazy Man’s Cioppino, which is essentially a flavourful tomato-based stew bobbing with fresh seafood gems such as clams, mussels and grilled sea bass. It’s best had with the West Coast Garlic Mops to mop up all the delicious flavours.
It is always a good idea to end the meal with something sweet, and the Espresso Budino which is made with cream, milk and espresso, will give you that much-needed dose of sugar and caffeine after a filling meal.
California Republic, 88 Amoy Street, S(069907), +65 9784 9487
Credits
Images: California Republic
Topics
Dudi Aureus is the senior dining and travel editor at Tatler Singapore, covering the city’s most exciting restaurants, global travel trends, and the personalities shaping the culinary and lifestyle scenes. She also serves as co-jury chair for the Tatler Best awards in Singapore, celebrating the very best in hospitality. When she’s off duty, she can often be found at a favourite hole-in-the-wall Thai spot, savouring a perfectly balanced pad thai.
