Cover Quenino crab tart
Quenino crab tart
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One of Singapore’s most outstanding chefs leads the seamless elevation and playful reinterpretation of Southeast Asia’s food cultures at Quenino
In a city where passion for food reigns supreme, the vibrant tapestry of Singapore’s cultures basks in long overdue glory through thoughtful reinterpretations presented at Quenino, located at the stunning Artyzen Singapore on Cuscaden Road.
Conceptualised under the guidance of legendary Melburnian restaurateur-chef Victor Liong, Quenino—meaning “little one” in Kristang, a Portuguese-based creole spoken by the Eurasian communities in Penang, Malacca, and Singapore—is the perfect amalgamation of the region’s distinct cultures.
Read more: How Cheryl Noronha’s Eurasian cookbook is keeping her grandmother’s recipes alive
Above Chef Victor Liong
Above Chef Sujatha Asokan
Chef Victor Liong
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At the helm is acclaimed chef de cuisine Sujatha Asokan, whose skills earned her the title of “Rising Chef of the Year” at the prestigious World Gourmet Summit in 2020. With both Malaysian-Chinese and Singaporean Indian heritage, Asokan’s approach to gastronomy is a playful yet respectful and harmonious balance of traditions, techniques and flavours. Armed with extensive knowledge and meticulous research into the region’s food cultures, Asokan ensures that Quenino’s blend of history and innovation is comforting, but also refreshing.
Fried rice
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Picture Pearl Meat, Asokan’s unique take on the beloved assam laksa from Penang. Its quintessential sour-spicy flavours are refined and presented in an elevated dish, crafted with matured oyster muscle, tamarind, ginger flower, Asian tomato essence and julienned slaw to mimic the laksa noodles. You also have the beloved fried rice infused with pork lard for added richness and that desired smoky flavour (or wok hei) for an umami-packed bite.
Quenino’s ever-changing seasonal tasting menus, which are refreshed every few months, are designed to highlight ingredients sourced from local markets, farms, and eateries in Singapore and the region.
The creative spirit of the restaurant is further exemplified in the mains, where diners can tuck into the likes of the Stone Axe M9 Wagyu. Enhancing the flavours of the dish, Asokan presents it with old and new world peppercorns, lending various taste profiles that range from sweet, fruity and mildly spicy. Giving this dish an Asian twist is the beef bone broth on the side, inspired by the sup tulang (bone soup).
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Above The stylish entrace of Quenino by Victor Liong
The stylish entrace of Quenino by Victor Liong
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For food lovers, Quenino is not simply a celebration of cultures. It is a world where culinary dreams run free, where the often overlooked jungle garlic from Borneo is turned into a truffle-like essence for a bold and moreish tart, and the nutty and powerful personality of petai is married with coconut to make a cream that is spiked with sweet green chilli, then paired with succulent freshwater crayfish and pomelo from Ipoh.
Over in the beverage department, Artyzen Singapore’s cocktail menu is no less bold, with concoctions such as the perennial favourite Singapore Sling renamed the “Geylang Sling”. This remix features the undeniable allure of smooth, vivacious durian, a tribute to the many durian stalls that line the storied streets of this sprightly neighbourhood. Reminiscent of Katong’s most famed dish is the “Lucky Laksa”, which transforms aromatic laksa leaves, lemongrass and tofu puffs in a mix of gin, secco, yellow melon and prosecco.
With over 80 types of wine—including organic, biodynamic and natural pours—in its cellar, Quenino’s beverage programme closely follows the philosophy of its food. Available in various formats from bottles to tasters, the team encourages the exploration of wine, even offering a personalised wine quiz to those who are unsure of which way to go. And true to its word, Quenino is a champion of local artisans, with sections specially dedicated to Singapore’s best beverage makers, such as local distillery Compendium, as well as beer brewers Specific Gravity Beverage Co. and Brewerkz.
Credits
Images: Quenino
