Get a Taste of East London with COL
COL, the newest kid on the Keong Saik stretch, seeks to bring diners the elegance and warmth of East London’s trendy bistros. The brain-child of chef-owner Colin Buchan (who has also been responsible for the programming at 1880), the restaurant blends industrial cool with modern luxe in its interior while serving fusion sharing plates and a variety of interesting and classic cocktails.
The opening menu features autumnal ingredients – with starters such as the aromatic Nduja arancini with smoky muhammara dip and grilled scallops (served with an umami-rich, oceanic seaweed butter and a dollop of sweet and tangy grapefruit marmalade). The beef tartare, smoked chipotle, gherkins and cured egg yolk, and the burrata with muscade pumpkin were equally excellent appetisers and perfect for sharing.
The mains were equally compelling – with fishes and meats were deftly handled - cooked to exactly the right texture with the snapper being the winner for me with the crispy skin but yet moist in bite. The iberico pork chop was unpretentious and generous in portions, and paired very well with the crushed apples, cider just and mustard.
For the pasta-lovers, COL serves up tagliatelle al granchio (hand-rolled tagliatelle, each portion made fresh to order, with a sauce of fresh crab, piquant chilli butter and confit tomatoes) and the mushroom bucatini which came with smoke still emanating from plate - with pecorino and pine nuts, every bite was full of umami goodness.
Notably, the saikyo miso-roasted cauliflower in a pleasingly vegetal green sauce and garlic pangrattato) was the stuff dreams are made off – with the cauliflower charred to perfection and the garlic pangratto adding crumbly textures with every mouthful.
As for the desserts, the COL POP was an upgraded adult version of a raspberry ripple magnum while the citrus curd has more zing than any other dessert in Singapore.
With mood lighting, generous portions, and an open concept kitchen - @col.singapore is definitely the place for a dinner date or a gathering with loved ones.
COL
Address: 1 Keong Saik Road #01-05 Singapore 089109 The Working Capitol Building
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday Bar: From 5pm Restaurant: From 6pm
