Birds Of A Feather 2021

Birds Of A Feather 2021
115 Amoy Street #01-01

https://www.birdsofafeather.com.sg/

Wagyu Beef Striploin & Foie Gras Claypot Rice

Excellent Modern Sichuan Dishes

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 9
Ambience & Setting: 9
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 9
Value for Money: 9
Spent about SGD $54 per person.


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Established since April 2016, Birds Of A Feather has garnered acclaim for their unique modern contemporary take on Chinese Sichuan cuisine. No in-your-face fiery burning sensations here, instead, their dishes elevate the bold flavours of the cuisine to an elegant art form. Coupled with the refined service and comfortable ambience, Birds Of A Feather is great for long lingering meals throughout the day.

Ambience at Birds Of A Feather is comfortable, eclectic, and plush. The warmly spotlit place has a black tiled floor, offset by ample natural light from the sun roofs, and faux greenery lending a lush feel. Wide and sturdy wooden tables along the walls are flanked by large sofas, great for groups. Hand-crafted art and copper pipes exude an industrial chic vibe, while a wall of decorative light bulbs next to the glass-walled kitchen emits a soft attractive glow. A long bar, stocked with all manner of bottles, completes the look.

Service at Birds Of A Feather befits a fine dining establishment (though it's not). Staff are immaculately dressed, according guests personalised attention when speaking. They demonstrate good product knowledge, able to describe components of dishes. I note they clean up tables quickly when diners leave, and also offer to clear finished plates throughout the meal. While you may have to sometimes request for a change of plates / cutlery, requests are fulfilled expeditiously. Staff also have a professional bearing, and make you feel welcome. I recall at one point we dropped cutlery on the floor; staff immediately and proactively came over with replacements.

Food at Birds Of A Feather is Modern Chinese Sichuan cuisine. Think elements of that familiar spicy flavours, but elevated and refined for the discerning. Never too punchy or painful on the palate, each dish is masterfully crafted with fresh ingredients by Chef Eugene See and his kitchen team. Bold yet balanced in flavour, each plate is also a visual work of art, carefully plated to showcase the ingredients. Portions are medium to large size for individuals, but can also be shared. Prices naturally reflect the excellent standards, budget about SGD $54 per person.


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Birds Of A Feather Facade

Birds Of A Feather Exterior

Birds Of A Feather Interior

Bar

Seating

Us

The Birds Special Fruit Tea (SGD $12) is refreshing, with a zesty tangy fruity sour sweet herbal flavour. I detect the use of mint leaves, lemonade, a slice of lime, and a slice of lemon, along with a fruit tea I can't quite place. Could be improved.

Birds Special Fruit Tea (SGD $12)

The Ice Caramel Coffee Cubes Latte (SGD $8) is a visual spectacle. Frozen cubes of coffee are stacked high in a glass, over which you pour milk and caramel sauce. The result is a robust toasty earthy sweet milky flavour, as the coffee gradually melts and infuses the milk while absorbing the caramel. Worth ordering!

Ice Caramel Coffee Cubes Latte (SGD $8)

Ice Caramel Coffee Cubes Latte

Ice Caramel Coffee Cubes Latte

The Wine Gran Castillo Rocio DO Cava Brut (SGD $10 per glass, $50 per bottle) is a sparkling cava wine made with 35% Macabeo green grapes, 35% Parellada white grapes, 30% Xarello white grapes, and brewed by the Castillo Del Rocio winery in Sant Sadurni D'Anoia municipality, Barcelona province, Catalonia community of Spain. It has a pale straw yellow colour, with aromas of butter croissant, pear, butterscotch, and lemon. The body is light, crisp, and bubbly, with tastes of brioche bread, lime, green apple, and vanilla. Has a fruity sweet zesty flavour, with a dry peppery finish. Thanks to its ability to refresh the palate with every sip, its fine bubbles, and its dry taste rich in nuances, Cava is perfect to accompany all kinds of dishes. This quality Spanish sparkling wine reinforces the richness of flavours, balances the intensity of seafood dishes, and simplifies the complexity of soups and creamy sauces.

Wine Gran Castillo Rocio DO Cava Brut (SGD $10 per glass, $50 per bottle)

Wine Gran Castillo Rocio DO Cava Brut

Ankara & Bubbly

The aptly named Find The Chicken In The Chilis (SGD $16) is more commonly known as Laziji / Spicy Firecracker Chicken / Mala Chicken. This features marinated then deep-fried pieces of chicken, tossed with dried Sichuan chilli pepper, spicy bean paste, Sichuan mala peppercorn, garlic, ginger, leeks, spring onions, and white sesame seeds. Each satisfying bite of the moist tender chicken releases a bold savoury salty spicy flavour, tingling the palate and piquing the appetite. A garnish of crisp fried kale with vegetal sweet flavour lends a twist to complete. Highly recommended!

Find The Chicken In The Chilis (SGD $16)

Find The Chicken In The Chilis

The Pig Ear Mosaic (SGD $18) is their take on the Chinese Pig's Ear Salad / Sichuan Red Oil Pig's Ear Salad. The pig's ear is stewed then thinly sliced, and marinated in a blend of chili oil, chicken stock, salt, black vinegar, sugar, light soy sauce, ginger, and Sichuan mala peppercorn seeds. Served chilled, the result is a light satisfying crunch to texture, with bold savoury spicy salty flavours from the gravy. They've laid it over a base of silky chewy translucent sweet potato noodles, completed with a garnish of juicy cucumber, crisp red radish, and wispy edible flowers, all of which pick up the flavours of the gravy. Those who've never eaten pig's ear might take some convincing though. Good!

Pig Ear Mosaic (SGD $18)

Pig Ear Mosaic

The Sichuan Oxtail Soup (SGD $24) is a soulful, comforting stew. The warm soup / broth is packed with meaty beefy savoury sweet flavour, so hearty and tasty. The large chunks of oxtail have tender moist beef meat that comes easily off the bones, picking up the flavours of the soup / broth, complementing with its savoury salty meaty flavour. Cubes of soft daikon radish and crisp red radish lends vegetal sweet notes. A house secret spicy sauce is served on the side, add as you desire. Personally, I love it without the kick of spice already, but a touch of fiery heat entices even more. Highly recommended!

Sichuan Oxtail Soup (SGD $24)

Sichuan Oxtail Soup

An off-menu item compliments of Chef Eugene See, the Squid & Konjac Noodles (SGD $Complimentary) features strips of fresh bouncy squid, paired with strips of chewy soft konjac noodles. The former has fresh natural sweet savoury flavour, while the latter has mild earthy sweet notes. A warm house special gravy, rich with zesty tangy sour fruity sweet savoury flavour (I detect lime, lemon, passionfruit, seafood stock) is poured over. Together with the juicy globules of tobiko / flying fish roe which burst with briny salty flavour, this is a refreshing and complex yet appetizing dish.

Squid & Konjac Noodles (SGD $Complimentary)

Squid & Konjac Noodles

Squid & Konjac Noodles

The Sweating Mussels (SGD $29) really does cause one to break out in perspiration. Probably the most fiery numbing dish available here, this features small blue mussels, chewy and moist, savoury earthy sweet in flavour, in a house special Sichuan nage; think a base of Sichuan Hot & Sour Soup but with added Chinese rice wine. The soup / broth is rich with spicy sour flavour, and completed with chewy thick Chinese yam noodles, dried Sichuan chilli pepper, Sichuan mala peppercorn, and shallots, all of which pick up the taste of the soup / broth. Has a lingering fiery burn that numbs the palate lightly, but isn't overwhelming. Would be even better if the mussels were larger with more meat. Good!

Sweating Mussels (SGD $29)

Sweating Mussels

The Truffle Alfredo Orecchiette (SGD $35) is among the few non-spicy dishes on the menu. Instead, this full-flavoured dish features soft chewy orecchiette pasta shells, tossed in a thick creamy gravy of truffle and mushroom infused cream, resulting in a bold earthy savoury salty flavour. Paired with juicy strips of crunchy grilled asparagus with smoky vegetal sweet flavour, and sun-dried cherry tomatoes with bright vegetal sweet notes. A slice of crisp foccacia bread and espuma act as garnishes to complete. This dish can be a tad heavy on the palate, and a drink to pair is recommended. Good!

Truffle Alfredo Orecchiette (SGD $35)

Truffle Alfredo Orecchiette

The Hong Shao Short Ribs (SGD $38) features chunks of Sichuan style braised beef short ribs, tender and juicy with bold meaty savoury sweet salty flavour. Unique crisp stringy potato noodles are served alongside, having a light starchy sweet savoury flavour. There's crisp milk cabbage / nai bai with vegetal sweet flavour, lending a healthy feel. A slice of crisp foccacia bread, sun-dried cherry tomatoes with bright vegetal sweet notes, and espuma, round out the garnishes. Satisfying and delicious. Highly recommended!

Hong Shao Short Ribs (SGD $38)

Hong Shao Short Ribs

Hong Shao Short Ribs

An off-menu item compliments of Chef Eugene See, the Wagyu Beef Striploin & Foie Gras Claypot Rice (SGD $Complimentary) features thick yet juicy tender strips of beef striploin, which have a good chew and bold meaty savoury salty flavour. There's small chunks of moist wobbly foie gras, which yield with a light mush, releasing its luxurious oily savoury earthy flavour. Laid over a base of seasoned rice, fluffy and moist with mild grainy savoury salty flavour. Completed with crunchy fresh nai bai / milk cabbage with vegetal sweet flavour, and a wobbly soft onsen egg with eggy sweet flavour. Cut the egg, watch the luscious yolk coat the rice, then mix everything together. The claypot imparts an enticing smoky aroma overall, this was so good.

Wagyu Beef Striploin & Foie Gras Claypot Rice (SGD $Complimentary)

Wagyu Beef Striploin & Foie Gras Claypot Rice

The Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake (SGD $11) features a large slice of cheesecake, soft and creamy moist with cheesy sweet flavour, and a light grainy sweet crunch from the graham cracker base. Drizzled with sea salt caramel, which lends a mild salty sweet flavour. The delivery version has more sauce though. Seasonal juicy fruits (strawberry, blueberry) lend fruity sweet flavour, while passionfruit sauce and a caramelised lemon slice kicks up the fruit flavours for the garnishes. A solid choice for a dessert here. Good!

Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake (SGD $11)

Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake

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