Dining out takes a takes a bit more effort and experimentation today than it did a year ago, so your selection should be worthy of the effort reflected in taste, environment and overall experience.
Dining out for lunch demands an even higher commitment from my point-of-view. There is one place that your efforts will be rewarded with refined taste and tasty mouthfuls of delightful Spanish cuisine. Here the Spanish culture is expressed in culinary arts and inspired interiors.
Only recently have I ventured out for a lunch meal outside of home or immediate neighborhood. The invitation to join a group for lunch downtown took a moment of contemplation. Upon reading that Kulto was a Spanish restaurant, I was tempted. My trip to Spain was curtailed last year, as many of our travel plans were. Alas, I packed up, masked-up and headed downtown to Amoy Street for a midday meal.
The trek was well worth the efforts. First, I will tell you that the décor is noticeable from the front door. For a narrow Amoy Street outlet, the space is open, light and contains an open concept kitchen that fills the space with the spices of Spain and the aromas of everything from seafood to saffron and everything in between.
The set lunch menu is filled with the dishes that any fellow past travelers to Madrid or Barcelona will be familiar. Croquettas are a favorite of mine. On the Kulto menu is the traditional Jamon Iberico variety, but they also have a Singapore Chili Crab version. There are wonderful firsts for me on the menu too. The Roasted Cauliflower, tahini, hazelnut and chili dish was sublime with subtle flavors.
An absolute favorite at our table, and I mean seriously asking for more and fighting over the dreggs, was the Iberico Chorizo with confit potato and soft eggs. When I return, that will be on my plate again. If you are a fan of clay pot rice then you will like the chefs paella dishes. All are made on an incredibly wide paella pan with crispy rice bits around the outer edge. Full flavor, all the best that paella brings to the pallets and the crispy bits – yum!
Leave room for dessert. An absolute sincere recommendation is the Kulto Cheese Cake. I am sure all of the desserts are terrific, but this one left me speechless. I will leave it to you to guess the secret ingredient or ply it straight from the lips of Chef Jose Alonso. What is a sure bet is that cheesecake lovers will lick their lips eating every morsel on the plate.
Whether you are venturing out for a well-deserved midday soirée or you prefer an early dinner downtown after work, your time and effort are well spent a Kulto. Bring a friend or a few, eat family style and enjoy the atmosphere. Meet the chefs and spot what you missed on the menu as it goes by to another table. Enjoy the curated and cultivated tastes of Kulto.
a. 87 Amoy Street Singapore 069906
s. www.facebook.com/kulto87.sg
m. See menu
