[Media Invite] Dinner at ROOTS Mediterranean @ Bukit Timah

9

2 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore 289189

Tel: 6463 4206

Website: None supplied

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RootsSingapore/

Once upon a time in August 2019, a new restaurant named Roots Mediterranean opened its doors, nestled along Greenwood Avenue, a private dining enclave. Roots Mediterranean specialises in wholesome, authentic and delectable Mediterranean fare with a delightful combination of Italian, Spanish, Greek and Levantine cuisine creations.

The Roots experience offers an epicurean journey which starts from the origin, the roots of the Mediterranean culinary culture. The restaurant provides the quality and experience of an Italian “Osteria”, a Greek “Ouzeri” and a Spanish “Tasca”.

As simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, the culinary concept is simple and elegant, assuring diners of hearty and flavourful cuisine prepared using fresh, premium ingredients and original recipes.

Roots Mediterranean has a convivial ambience with earthy tones, brick walls and wooden tiles and a wine cellar, making it ideal for gatherings with family and friends.  Roots Mediterranean offers an extensive range of Spanish Tapas, Italian Antipasti and Greek and Middle Eastern Mezze. The restaurant also has a wide selection of European wines to go with your food.

A basket variety of warm, delectable Bread was first brought to the table, comprising sourdough, grissini, flatbread, etc. They were tasty on their own or with butter,  but we took care to not over-indulge for fear that we could not stomach the other upcoming dishes.

DIPS

Moving onto starters, we had an assortment of delicious dips. The first was Tzatziki dip (SGD$8.00) - The most loved Greek dip, Yoghurt, cucumber, garlic and extra virgin olive oil.

There was the Tirokafteri dip (SGD$10.00) - a spicy and cheesy dip. A spread with yoghurt, feta cheese and chilli.

Also, the Hummus dip, a classic Mediterranean delight (SGD$8.00) - chick peas cream with sesame paste.

Finally, we tried the Melinzano Salata dip (SGD$8.00) - roasted eggplant dip with lemon, extra virgin olive oil and parsley.

OTHER STARTERS

Another  interesting and palatale appetiser was the Tortillas de Papas Y Queso Fundido (SGD$8.00) - a typical Spanish Omelette with potatoes topped with melted cheese.

Next, the Croquettas de Jamon Y Queso (SGD$8.00) - crispy fried breaded ham & cheese croquettes.

Moving onto seafood, we tried the Garides Saganaki (SGD$18.00) - sauté prawns cooked in a slightly spicy tomato sauce and topped with feta cheese. An innovative way and taste of eating prawns.

Smokey and texturized, the Octopus Gallego (SGD$18.00) - Roots Mediterranean's version of the Spanish classic comprising Octopus chunks, oven-warmed potatoes and seasoned with smoked paprika and extra virgin olive oil.

Last seafood delight was the Gratinated Mussels (SGD$18.00) - crispy baked mussels stuffed with a tasty mix of breadcrumbs, spices, parmesan and extra virgin olive oil.

PASTAS

After that, we tried the Pasta items. Starting with Tagliatelle "It's Not Alfredo!" (SGD$26.00) - extra creamy tagliatelle served with 24 month aged Parmigiano Reggiano emulsioned cream.

Then Tagliatelle Bolognese (SGD$20.00) - Bolognese sauce with bigger chunks of beef, making for a texturized dish with more volumes to sink our teeth into.

Following that, Risotto Porcini Mushrooms (SGD$24.0) - Carnaroli rice, porcini mushroom, parmesan, butter and parsley; a flavourful dish that always tugs at my heartstrings.

PIZZAS

After pastas, it would be to taste the pizzas. They come in 3 sizes - 25cm, 50cm or 1 metre.

The Burrata and Parma Pizza (SGD$18.00 for 25cm / SGD$26.00 for 50cm / SGD$50.00 for 1 metre), is made up of confit cherry tomatoes, burrata cheese, Parma ham, extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil.

The Spanish Pizza (SGD$18.00 for 25cm / SGD$26.00 for 50cm / SGD$50.00 for 1 metre) consists of tomato sauce, potatoes, octopus, paprika, parsley, extra virgin olive oil and garlic.

The Greek Pizza (SGD$18.00 for 25cm / SGD$26.00 for 50cm / SGD$50.00 for 1 metre) is composed of tomato sauce, feta cheese, kalamata olives, oregano and cherry tomatoes.

Last but not least, the Pineapple Pizza (SGD$18.00 for 25cm / SGD$26.00 for 50cm / SGD$50.00 for 1 metre), baked with tomato sauce, turkey ham, pineapple, and mozzarella.

FROM THE OVEN

Something from another section - From The Oven (literally!) - Moussaka (SGD$20.00), a Greek national dish of potatoes and eggplant layered with minced meat and bechamel.

DESSERTS

Finally, for another stomach entirely - desserts! The Rootless Dessert Platter (SGD$32.00) is a decadent, to-die-for 3-tier dessert tray made of various pastries and sweet treats.  The items include Tiramisu, Crema Catalana, Apricot Jelly, Double Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, Strawberries, Lime Sorbet and Margo Sorbet (items are available on a rotational basis).  The perfect ending to the meal.

Do pop by for these delectable dishes to be enjoyed over some fine wine selection.

Thank you Jennifer's Consultancy for the invite, and ROOTS Mediterranean for hosting us.

[Media Invite] Dinner at Alati Divine Greek Cuisine @ Amoy Street

73 Amoy Street, Singapore 069892

Tel: 6221 6124

Website: http://www.alati.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALATIsg

Alati Restaurant is a newly-opened Greek restaurant located in the CBD area, amongst a row of shophouses filled with restaurants, cafes and bars. "Alati" means "salt" (άλας) in ancient Greek, and the restaurant is named so because of the fresh wild-caught seafood from the Aegean waters, bringing the taste of the sea right to your table.

At Alati's, everything is painstakingly and meticulously made by hand, from the bread to the meat. The General Manager Mr. Leong Khai Git (who is also one of the founders) started out as a Chef himself, and has since risen through the ranks and wishes to bring the beauty of Greek food to Singapore.

Ambience at Alati Restaurant is spatial, classically Greek in the bold tones of blue and white, spacious, chic. One feels exactly like they have stepped through the borders and crossed continents, and have landed at the Cyclades region easily. Comfort and excellent service are other qualiites this restaurant posesses.

Fresh fish and seafood (flown in from Greece) are on a display counter at kitchen entrance,  and Git himself gave us a detailed introduction to his restaurant concept and dishes.  This was a media invited tasting session attended by representatives from Hungrygowhere and other familiar faces aka reviewers / bloggers.

We started with some Greek wines imported specially from Greece vineyards. Other wines and spirits accompanied us throughout the course of the meal as well. We started with Amethystos - beautiful white wine comprising Sauvignon Blanc and Assyrtiko, redolent of grapes' distinctive sweetness.

Then we had a bottle of red wine named Kanenas, which translates into "No One", giving it a forlorn and enigmatic feel instantly; it was smooth and pierced the right notes of the palate. Finally, a potent bottle of Mastiha Skinos - strong punch, heavy flavour and long note. This was one spicy drink!

Dinner commenced with some crispy bread (baguette) with dips of olive and sea salt. It was a refreshing combination, and the bread was so tasty.

The Horiatiki (SGD$22.00), better known as Greek Salad, kickstarted the tasting session formally. It is made up of fresh tomatoes, olives, cucumber, onions, bell peppers, feta cheese and extra virgin olive oil. Every bite was fresh and crisp with sweetness of the vegetables; the feta added a savoury element to the salad.

Next, Dolmadakia (SGD$19.00) - vine leaves wrapped with rice and pine nuts, always one of my favorite dishes on the table. They were steamed till soft, and the leaves lent a subtle fragrance to the rice. The pine nuts added crunch to the simple but delicious dish.

The Fyllo-wrapped Feta (SGD$15.00) was exactly that - a thin puff pastry encrusting feta cheese and deep-fried, drizzled with honey and seasme. The ingredients sounded simple, but the combination made for a tasty delight blend of flavours and textures, gentle without overpowering each other. I especially revelled in the touch of honey against the heavier flavour of the feta.

Next, Gambari (SGD$22.00) - fried baby shrimps served with basil mayonnaise. These bite-sized, crackling shrimps made for perfect appetisers, especially with drinks; the entire shrimps were edible because they were so crispy. Sweetness of the prawns was evident as well.

Following that, we had the Mousaka (SGD$26.00) - minced beef with eggplant,  potatoes and belchamel sauce. It resembled the Chinese carrot cake at first glance, but a closer look brought to sight the other ingredients in this square of eggplant, potatoes and beef. Texture was soft; taste was gentle, with minced beef playing the dominant game here, but gently so.

The Dips were next - they are traditionally sold in individual flavours and portions, but for tasting purpose we had a platter of different dips. These dips are best served with a slice of their warm, handmade Pita Bread (SGD$4.00). The pita wowed the palate on its own, even before we coated it with dip.

Fava (SGD$13.00) is Santorini's bean puree with onions, tasting like chickpeas, with the same earthly tones and "sandy" coarse texture.  Tzatsiki (SGD$15.00) is Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill and garlic - complete with hints of tart and saltiness. Taramosalata (SGD$16.00) aka cod roe cream was my favorite-  like the Japanese mentaiko, creamy and sapid with roe's flavour. Melitzanosalata (SGD$16.00) is made of smoked eggplant with walnuts, smooth and thick in texture, with the light sweetness of eggplant.

Then Lavraki (SGD$9.80 per 100g) aka Seabass, beautifully grilled and de-boned, served with lots of grilled vegetables. Dips were provided on the side, but the fish on its own was moist and tender; saccharine with freshness.

Tsipoura (SGD$10.20 per 100g) aka Seabream was salt-baked (additional SGD$10.00), so when it was served it was coated a golden brown beautifully. Git helped us to debone personally. The flakey, snow-whiteness of the flesh reflected its freshness; the first bite was springy and the taste of the sea lingered beautifully.

Following that, we had Kotopoulo Souvlaki (SGD$24.00), basically Grilled Chicken with onions, green peppers and yogurt, served on a skewer, with potato fries on the side. The chicken was utterly succulent, its flavour enhanced by the smokey hints infused.

Desserts were served thereafter, starting with Loukoumades (SGD$16.00) - Greek fried donuts with honey, cinnamon and walnuts. It may look just like any other doughnut, but the addition of honey, cinnamon and walnuts added taste and bite to this crispy dessert.  You can choose to add on a scoop of vanilla ice-cream for SGD$4.00.

Finally, Galaktoboureko (SGD$14.00) - lemon and cinnamon flavoured custard in phyllo pastry. This was beautifully decent-  not too sweet despite its appearance. The dessert itself was satin smooth, a light hint of savoury broken through by zesty pierce of lemon. Some may not like it at first bite, because of the exotic taste; but the flavour grows on you, and it becomes addictive after that. I would choose to have this again when I return to the restaurant for my meals.

For lunch, Alati Restaurant has special set lunch at SGD$25.00, and one could choose from the Karpos Platter or Meze Platter - very value for money. Drop by this stunningly beautiful restaurant for a meal to experience Greece for yourself today!

Thank you Alati, Git and team for the fabulous tasting session; and thank you Hungrygowhere for the invite.