Perch

Perch
78 Airport Boulevard
#02-244 Jewel Changi Airport

https://perch.sg/

Pan-Fried Red Snapper (SGD $25)

Unwind At This Casual Wine & Dine Sanctuary

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 8
Value for Money: 9
Spent about SGD $44 per person.

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"Birds of a feather may flock together, but birds of different feathers Perch together." So proclaims the slogan of Perch, the casual wine and dine integrative bistro managed by Singapore’s leading wine & spirits retailer, 1855 The Bottle Shop. Established in January 2020, Perch serves imaginative yet familiar Asian-European fusion dishes, rich with Southeast Asian flavours, artfully complemented by tipples from their extensive wine list.

Ambience at Perch is casual and relaxing, exuding a quiet sophistication. The broad cushioned booth seats in vibrant orange and green surround gleaming marble-topped metal tables, set with elegant metal cutlery and small succulent shrubs. Warmly lit throughout, the entrance is flanked by the wine shop and the semi-open kitchen, while in the background, the iconic waterfall thunders away. Faux greenery flanking the store completes the lush look.

Service at Perch is professional and efficient, befitting a good bistro. Staff are quick to greet and seat guests after the necessary safety measures are performed, and they display good product knowledge with their introduction of dishes. They proactively offer to top up water glasses and drinks. Staff helpfully clear finished plates throughout your meal, and clean up quickly when diners leave. The polite, welcoming vibe makes the experience worthwhile.

Food at Perch is Modern Asian-European Fusion cuisine. Think familiar European or Asian dishes, given a twist from the opposing culture. Originally led by Executive Chef Lee Boon Seng, an esteemed saucier, the dishes at Perch naturally feature delicious sauces, soups / broths, and gravies. The extensive range of drinks to pair is also a delight. Portions are large for individuals, and may be shared. Prices are reflective of the quality standards, budget about SGD $44 per person.

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Perch Exterior

Perch Interior

Counter & Open Kitchen

Table Setting

The Acqua Panna Still Water (SGD $4) is regarded as Italy's most famous spring water. Sourced from the slopes of Monte Gazzaro in Scarperia E San Piero, Florence, Tuscany, Italy, this alkaline mineral water has a pH of 8.2, and is moderately hard with minerals. With a refreshing smooth texture and a beautiful natural flavour that calls to mind beechwood and chestnut forests set admidst lush meadows, this still water pairs well with any dish.

Acqua Panna Still Water (SGD $4)

The Tea Moroccan Mint (SGD $5) features a classic blend of green tea leaves and spearmint. Also known as Maghrebi Mint Tea, this has a clear sharp aroma, with earthy herbal sweet flavour.

Tea Moroccan Mint (SGD $5)

The Wine Bulletin Place Chardonnay (SGD $12) is a white wine made from 100% Chardonnay green grapes by the Bulletin Place label under the Calabria Family Wines winery in Griffith, Riverina, New South Wales, Australia. It has a pale straw yellow colour, with aromas of peach, lime, hay, and butter. The body is crisp, dry, and bold, with tastes of lemon meringue, pear, white blossom flowers, and honey. Has a pleasant fruity floral sweet flavour, with a short semi-dry finish.

Wine Bulletin Place Chardonnay (SGD $12)

The Wine Bulletin Place Merlot (SGD $12) is a red wine made from 100% Merlot purple grapes by the Bulletin Place label under the Calabria Family Wines winery in Griffith, Riverina, New South Wales, Australia. It has a deep violet purple colour, with aromas of cherry, plum, black pepper, and rosemary. The body is smooth, dry, and bold, with tastes of blackcurrant, vanilla, cedar, and thyme. Has a delightful fruity earthy sweet flavour, with a long tannic finish.

Wine Bulletin Place Merlot (SGD $12)

The Gin & Tonic, Orange & Thyme (SGD $12) features a blend of small batch London dry gin, Japanese craft gin, and tonic water, infused with botanicals of your choice. For this, I selected orange and thyme, which resulted in a fruity sweet herbal boozy flavour, pleasant and enticing. Good!

Gin & Tonic, Orange & Thyme (SGD $12)

The Gin & Tonic, Rosemary & Ginger (SGD $12) features a blend of small batch London dry gin, Japanese craft gin, and tonic water, infused with botanicals of your choice. For this, I selected rosemary and ginger, which resulted in a herbal sweet spice boozy flavour, vibrant and lively. Good!

Gin & Tonic, Rosemary & Ginger (SGD $12)

The Field Mushroom Soup (SGD $12) is a beautiful and filling bowl, with robust earthy savoury salty flavour. The thick and creamy blend of field mushrooms, cream, virgin olive oil, and chives are offset by the crisp crunch of sourdough bread croutons. This warm mushroom soup / broth is best shared. Good!

Field Mushroom Soup (SGD $12)

Field Mushroom Soup

The Blue Swimmer Crab Cake (SGD $20) is delicious. This features 2 blue swimmer crab cakes made with deshelled blue swimmer crab lump meat formed with potatoes, enveloped in a batter of bread crumbs bound with eggs. Has a tender moist interior with a crisp crunchy exterior, and enticing sweet savoury flavour. Served in a rich modern gochujang cocktail sauce which has sweet spice notes, garnished with crunchy celeriac with vegetal bitter sweet flavour. There's supposed to be an apple & raisin remoulade, but I didn't receive it. Still, an overall yummy dish that I've ordered several times. Highly recommended!

Blue Swimmer Crab Cake (SGD $20)

Blue Swimmer Crab Cake

Blue Swimmer Crab Cake

The Buttermilk Calamari (SGD $16) is best eaten quickly when served hot and fresh, as the thin batter is still crispy and light. The bouncy squid rings are medium thick with good bite, and have natural sweet savoury flavour. This is complemented by the seasoning of curry leaves and salt, lending a bold salty savoury spice flavour, so addictive. Paired with a creamy curry mayonnaise which enhances the robust notes. Highly recommended!

Buttermilk Calamari (SGD $16)

Buttermilk Calamari

Buttermilk Calamari

Love the Sauteed Boston Bay Blue Mussels With Sourdough Set (SGD $20), a delicious appetizer which makes a great sharing snack. The small but plump Sauteed Boston Bay Blue Mussels are tender and juicy, with clean-tasting sweet savoury flavour. It picks up the lovely gravy of white wine, thyme, shallots, and mussel stock, which has boozy sweet savoury herbal flavour. The Sourdough Bread is properly crisp and spongy, lightly toasted to impart a smoky grainy sour bready sweet flavour. It picks up the delicious gravy well. Highly recommended!

Sauteed Boston Bay Blue Mussels With Sourdough Set (SGD $20)

Sourdough Bread

Sauteed Boston Bay Blue Mussels

Loved the Caesar Salad With Smoked Chicken (SGD $18) so much that I've ordered it several times when I felt like eating clean or healthy. A bed of fresh crisp romaine lettuce and juicy cherry tomatoes, both with vegetal sweet flavour, are lightly dressed with caesar dressing and shaved parmesan cheese, which lends a tangy milky sweet salty cheesy flavour. A wobbly soft boiled onsen egg with eggy sweet flavour sits on top, alongside a crisp gooey crunchy melted gruyere cheese sourdough bread crouton with bready cheesy salty sweet smoky flavour, yum. Completed with chewy bits of smoked pork bacon with meaty salty flavour, and tender moist slices of smoked chicken with smoky savoury sweet flavour. Highly recommended!

Caesar Salad With Smoked Chicken (SGD $18)

Caesar Salad With Smoked Chicken

Caesar Salad With Smoked Chicken

The Shoestring Fries With Aonori Ko Seaweed Salt (SGD $9) are fantastic. The thin shoestring potato fries have a crisp exterior and a fluffy interior, with mild starchy sweet salty flavour. The seasoning of aonori ko seaweed salt lends a bitter earthy salty grassy flavour, yum. Good!

Shoestring Fries With Aonori Ko Seaweed Salt (SGD $9)

Shoestring Fries With Aonori Ko Seaweed Salt

Shoestring Fries With Aonori Ko Seaweed Salt

The Pan-Fried Red Snapper (SGD $25) was excellent, thanks to the juicy beurre blanc sauce which held lovely sweet savoury salty milky flavour. The pan-fried red snapper fish fillet was boneless with a crisp skin, had delicate flaky moist flesh, and a mild sweet savoury flavour. Accompanied with creamy smooth mashed potato with starchy sweet flavour, and crunchy garden peas in pods with vegetal grassy sweet flavour. Completed with juicy preserved lemon and tomato concasse with tangy sour sweet flavour, and fresh chives with vegetal herbal flavour. Highly recommended!

Pan-Fried Red Snapper (SGD $25)

Pan-Fried Red Snapper

Pan-Fried Red Snapper

The Local Duck Leg Confit (SGD $26) is served with a base of creamy orange infused carrot mousse and airy carrot tarragon foam, lifting the overall dish with its bright fruity sweet vegetal flavour. There's soft wilted spinach and firm carrots, both with vegetal sweet flavour, along with tender roasted baby potatoes with smoky starchy sweet savoury flavour. The star is the locally sourced duck leg, confit till tender and juicy, with the duck meat flaking off easily from the bones, having robust meaty salty savoury fatty flavour. Completed with a pickled mustard seed au jus, which lends a touch of herbal spice sweet sour tangy flavour. So delicious. Highly recommended!

Local Duck Leg Confit (SGD $26)

Local Duck Leg Confit

Local Duck Leg Confit

The star of the Beef Cheeks Bourguignon (SGD $28) is none other than the large beef cheeks, braised till soft and tender, with bold meaty salty savoury flavour. Served over a bed of creamy potato mousseline with starchy sweet savoury flavour, accompanied with crunchy roasted carrots and parsnips with vegetal sweet earthy smoky flavour. A garnish of crunchy caramelised white onion with pronounced vegetal sweet smoky flavour, and a smooth rich red wine and beef au jus with deep savoury sweet earthy flavour, complete this lovely dish. Highly recommended!

Beef Cheeks Bourguignon (SGD $28)

Beef Cheeks Bourguignon

Beef Cheeks Bourguignon

Loved the Grilled Pork Jowl (SGD $24), which features 4 medium sized fillets of Australian pork jowl, grilled to perfection, with chewy tender moist texture and lovely sweet savoury salty smoky flavour. Served over a bed of braised red cabbage, soft and slippery with earthy sweet vegetal flavour. Completed with juicy slices of caramelised red apples with fruity sweet flavour, chunky roasted potato wedges with smoky starchy savoury flavour, and rich apple cider and pork au jus with sweet savoury salty flavour. So satisfying and yummy. Highly recommended!

Grilled Pork Jowl (SGD $24)

Grilled Pork Jowl

Grilled Pork Jowl

Grilled Pork Jowl

The New Zealand Beef Ribeye Steak (SGD $35) features 300g of beef ribeye, grilled perfectly to your choice of doneness (medium rare is recommended), with a tender succulent juicy chew to texture, and a robust meaty savoury salty flavour. Served with a fresh garden salad comprising lettuce varieties, with vegetal sweet flavour. There's a choice of 1 of 5 house made sauces, we went for the Café De Paris, a luscious herb butter that lent lovely buttery herbal sweet flavour. Good!

New Zealand Beef Ribeye Steak (SGD $35)

New Zealand Beef Ribeye Steak

New Zealand Beef Ribeye Steak

The William Pear Crumble Tart (SGD $13) could do with more crumble, but I love the generous portion of pear within. The caramelised chunks of pear are juicy with bright sweet fruity flavour, while the pastry tart shell and crumble are properly crumbly and crunchy with buttery grainy sweet notes. Several almonds lend a nutty flavour with a good firm crunch for a contrast in texture. Served with champagne infused vanilla ice cream, creamy and smooth, with bold floral boozy sweet flavour. Highly recommended!

William Pear Crumble Tart (SGD $13)

William Pear Crumble Tart

William Pear Crumble Tart

A novel twist on a classic dessert, the Persimmon Sticky Toffee Pudding (SGD $13) features a very moist soft sponge cake blended with persimmon and raisins, coated in thick toffee sauce. The result is an alternating bright and deep flavour that is earthy fruity sweet grainy in taste. A decent scoop of rum and raisin ice cream lends bright boozy fruity sweet flavour, the strength pairing nicely with the pudding. Especially love that the booze is strong in this. Highly recommended!

Persimmon Sticky Toffee Pudding (SGD $13)

Persimmon Sticky Toffee Pudding

Persimmon Sticky Toffee Pudding

Persimmon Sticky Toffee Pudding

Loved the Cheese Board Selection (SGD $26). Served with crisp toasted ciabatta bread with bready sweet flavour, juicy dried apricots with fruity sweet flavour, and gelatinous quince jam with fruity sour sweet flavour. The trio of cheeses include hard cheddar with cheesy salty milky flavour, soft brie with milky sweet cheesy flavour, and crumbly blue cheese with pungent earthy herbal cheesy flavour. Love pairing the various ingredients together and exploring the difference in taste. Good!