Cover Chef-owner Stefan Liau of contemporary European restaurant Hevel
Chef-owner Stefan Liau of contemporary European restaurant Hevel
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Chef-owner Stefan Liau steps out from the shadows of culinary powerhouses with his playful interpretation of modern European flavours
Hevel is the latest restaurant to call Keong Saik Road its home. Masterminded by the team behind modern seafood bar Marcy’s and Parliament Bar, the contemporary European restaurant is set to open its doors on November 16. Marking his solo debut is chef-owner Stefan Liau, who most recently held the head chef position at Mandala Masters, Mandala Club’s gourmet series which brought culinary powerhouses Yoshihiro Narisawa (Narisawa), Gaggan Anand (Gaggan), and Manish Mehrotra (Indian Accent) to our shores for limited-time-only culinary residencies.
Prior to Liau’s achievements at Mandala Club, the 31-year-old cut his teeth at Michelin-starred restaurants Spoon by Alain Ducasse in Hong Kong, Terra in Tokyo, Japan, and Cure by Andrew Walsh in Singapore. Now, he steps out of the shadows of his mentors and into the limelight at Hevel.
Designed to deliver refined communal dining experiences, Liau’s playful tasting menus—four courses and six courses for a start—draw inspiration from flavours of his childhood and global escapades. Here’s the exclusive scoop on what you can expect when doors open next week.
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Above Main dining area, with crystalware backdrop
Above Main dining area, with stainless steel ornaments
Main dining area, with crystalware backdrop
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Taking a page off Italy in the 1960s, the stylish interiors highlight the liberal use of marble, opulent burl, buttery suede and gleaming stainless steel to jazz up the high-end joint. The open kitchen anchors the dining room and bar, where a series of intimate booths offer those in search of a bit of privacy. The furniture collection also boasts new and vintage pieces from brands like Knoll and Fritz Hansen.
Trio of snacks
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As visually striking as the interiors are the artfully plated dishes, as they excite both the eyes and palate with a harmony of textures, flavours and seasonality. A trio of snacks kick off the explorative menu: orange doughnuts crowned with caviar and smoked creme fraiche, maguro tuna choux lifted with bonito and nasturtium, and a crispy chicken liver parfait perfumed with granny smith apples and sherry wine vinegar.
The sequence turns in favour of sharing when small plates arrive. Think cured mackerel with the vibrance of passionfruit, potato hash layered with pickled leek, and a cloud-like bowl of piquillo pepper and chorizo. There are also accompaniments of freshly baked soft rye rolls with lashings of smoked butter. In the mains, your choice of luxurious meats includes a porcini-rubbed pork presa, an expertly grilled short rib, and a succulent duck with roasted barley.
Above Cocktail: Classic Martini
Cocktail: Classic Martini
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The wine list is rather extensive too, offering reputable names to those who seek comfort in familiarity while pleasing experimental diners with lesser-known small-batch producers from around the world. On the other hand, beverage pairings go beyond the parameters of wines. Instead, fortified wines such as vermouth, sherry and port are wholeheartedly championed and showcased in cocktail form to pair and please.
Hevel
Address: 1 Keong Saik Road
