The Quarters Tasting Session 2019

The Quarters Tasting Session 2019
16 Enggor Street
#01-09 Icon Village

Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri: 8am - 10pm
Sat: 10am - 10pm
Sun: 10am - 6pm


https://www.thequarters.sg/


This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session, but I did pay the standard price during subsequent visits.
Attended with representatives from The New Paper, Chubby Botak Koala, msginginly, Purple Taste, Little Tiny Sun, Her Pen And Fork, and Epicurious Caniggia.

Fwah (SGD $18 ala-carte / SGD $60++ per pax set meal)

Mod-Sin Communal Dining Experience

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 8
Value for Money: 7
Budget about SGD $60 ++ per person.


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Returned again to The Quarters, on the kind invitation of owner-chef Chung Deming, for the launch of 'The Quarters Experience' - a sort of Chef's table dining experience. Think a veritable showcase of the Modern Singaporeans flavours that Chef is known for. Having previously visited The Quarters several times over the last few years, we were excited to see how different this experience would be.

Ambience at The Quarters remains retro casual, a cozy and comfortable place for communal dining. Service at The Quarters remains professional and efficient, and I note staff are more proactive and friendly compared to our prior visits. Food at The Quarters still features Modern Singaporean cuisine, but the overall quality has actually improved over the years. Prices are about the same, ranging from SGD $15 - $40 per person for a meal here.

The Quarters Menu 2019

The Quarters Menu 2019

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Have always had a more or less pleasant dining experience whenever I visit The Quarters, be it as an invited guest, or incognito on my own. This 2019, Chef Deming has launched 'The Quarters Experience', fresh off the back of a guest chef stint on Holland America Line Cruises, where he showcased his Mod-Sin cuisine via cooking demonstrations and a fine dining experience. A curated journey through the heritage flavours of Singapore, this 6-course menu is priced at SGD $60 per person, and should be ordered at least 2 days in advance.

The Salted Egg Tebasaki (SGD $60++ per pax set meal) features their signature salted egg aioli, drizzled over charcoal grilled chicken mid-wings. I'd previously loved the rich flavours of their salted egg aioli, but on this instance, the sauce wasn't sufficient to provide that satisfaction. The chicken mid-wings had a tender, moist texture, with bold smoky savoury salty flavour from the grill. But we noticed inconsistency in the doneness across the board, with some pieces having more char than others. Flavours are good, but the execution could be slightly improved.

Salted Egg Tebasaki (SGD $60++ per pax set meal)

Salted Egg Tebasaki

Salted Egg Tebasaki

Salted Egg Tebasaki

Their Chawanmushi (SGD $60++ per pax set meal) is unique because it's plated with a base of chinchalok / fermented shrimp, which lends a hint, but just barely, of briny savoury salty shrimp flavour. The egg custard, which is studded with slices of shiitake mushroom, is also more dense than I'm used to. The biggest flavour comes from the topping of ikura / salmon roe, bright briny salty globules which burst in the mouth. Personally, I felt there could be better balance to allow one to taste the full range of flavours.

Chawanmushi (SGD $60++ per pax set meal)

Chawanmushi

Chawanmushi

The Ooh La La (SGD $14 ala-carte / SGD $60++ per pax set meal) will make you exclaim just that, with its generous portion of Venus clams and bread croutons, coated in the house special chili crab sauce. You get the plump, moist, meaty chew of the clams, with a sweet spicy flavour, but without the fiery burn. The mild heat will appeal to most, especially those who prefer their food to be less spicy. The bread croutons, while nicely crisp, isn't helpful for soaking up the gravy, causing us to resort to spooning up all the deliciousness instead. Satisfiying communal dish that pairs well with drinks.

Ooh La La (SGD $14 ala-carte / SGD $60++ per pax set meal)

Ooh La La

Ooh La La

Ooh La La

The aptly named Fwah (SGD $18 ala-carte / SGD $60++ per pax set meal) has improved from when we last had it, being even better than before. The delicate crunch of the crisp toasted white bread, with its smoky bready sweet flavour, holds up the rich, luscious, floral sweet pandan kaya / screwpine leaf coconut egg jam, which is almost pearl white in colour with a creamy gelatinous texture. The surrounding creamy scrambled eggs lend an eggy sweet flavour to the luxurious, moist tender succulent foie gras duck liver, with its smoky savoury salty fatty flavours. Fwah!

Fwah (SGD $18 ala-carte / SGD $60++ per pax set meal)

Fwah

Fwah

Chef surprised us with a traditional yet decently executed Kueh Pie Tee (SGD $60++ per pax set meal), which isn't on any menu here. We were wondering if there was some Modern Singaporean twist to this, but no, it's just a straightforward rendition. The filling of stewed tender turnips, grainy egg, and juicy succulent deshelled prawns have a beautiful savoury sweet earthy flavour. It was slightly let down by the crisp pastry shell, which had a hint of sour taste to it. The chili was properly spicy with an addictive fiery kick. Overall, not bad.

Kueh Pie Tee (SGD $60++ per pax set meal)

Kueh Pie Tee

Kueh Pie Tee

Kueh Pie Tee

The Rendang Buah Keluak Fried Rice (SGD $60++ per pax set meal) proves that 2 distinct components create a better whole. The Beef Rendang Short Rib features cubes of grass-fed beef short rib, charcoal grilled till a nice medium rare, in a house special rendang gravy. You get the bold smoky meaty savoury flavours of the beef, and the unique flavours of the gravy which is lighter on spice with more sweet notes. The Buah Keluak Fried Rice has buah keluak / pangium edule paste stir-fried with rice and anchovies, giving it a sticky starchy texture with a deep earthy savoury flavour. Love the pairing of bold tastes here.

Rendang Buah Keluak Fried Rice (SGD $60++ per pax set meal)

Rendang Buah Keluak Fried Rice

Rendang Buah Keluak Fried Rice

Rendang Buah Keluak Fried Rice

The Duriancanboleh (SGD $9 ala-carte / SGD $60++ per pax set meal) has creamy smooth, wobbly durian creme brulee custard, with a fruity sweet flavour. Crack through the satisfiyingly thin, caramelised crust, and you'll find the luscious custard has a lovely durian taste, without being overpowering. Chef blow torches this tableside, creating a spectacle of wonder. As good as ever.

Duriancanboleh (SGD $9 ala-carte / SGD $60++ per pax set meal)

Duriancanboleh

Duriancanboleh

Duriancanboleh

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The Shiok Bak (SGD $14) features thick, succulent tender juicy cuts of pork belly, with a crisp and chewy skin, and a good ratio of fat to meat. The pork belly has a delicate savoury salty sweet flavour, and is served with a side of fresh crunchy cucumber strips topped with pickles. A house made assam gravy accompanies, providing a sharp tangy sour flavour that complements the pork belly. While I wish the skin was more crackling crisp, this is satisfying both with and without the gravy. Good!

Shiok Bak (SGD $14)

Shiok Bak

Shiok Bak

The Nasi Lemak Burger (SGD $15) makes a return. Among the better renditions around, this features crisp yet chewy coconut milk infused rice patties, 2 juicy tender chicken thigh fillets coated in a turmeric and spice batter, topped with a sunny side up egg, and completed with a house sambal belacan. Served with 2 sides; crisp fried anchoves which crunch beautifully with salty savoury flavour; and strips of juicy shredded cucumber with lovely vegetal sweet flavour. The burger itself is messy but satisfying, with complex layers of floral earthy savoury spice sweet grainy flavours, distinct yet familiar on the palate.

Nasi Lemak Burger (SGD $15)

Nasi Lemak Burger

Nasi Lemak Burger

Nasi Lemak Burger

Nasi Lemak Burger

The Wagyu Beef Buah Keluak Pasta (SGD $24) has punchy flavours that are somewhat acquired, and may not appeal to everyone. The long elliptical strands of linguine pasta noodles are fully coated in the bold earthy savoury notes of the buah keluak / pangium edule paste, lending a deep richness to the dish. Garnished with medium rare strips of perfectly seared and seasoned wagyu beef, which lend good smoky meaty savoury salty fatty flavour. Can be rather intense on the palate for the portion size, and is best shared.

Wagyu Beef Buah Keluak Pasta (SGD $24)

Wagyu Beef Buah Keluak Pasta

Wagyu Beef Buah Keluak Pasta

The Quarters constantly strives to improve their menu offerings and the quality of their dishes, having kept this philosophy over the last few years. This latest 'Chef's Table' dining experience is a good showcase of the Modern Singaporean flavours they're known for. Both familiar and new all at once, this is a gastronomic journey that would delight most. 'The Quarters Experience' is a 6-course menu priced at SGD $60 per person, and requires 2 days advance reservation.


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