As I stepped off the curb at Telok Ayer I noticed Santi’s across the street. A modern gourmet alfresco dining, this fabulous fun and light restaurant lent such a cosy atmosphere to the open space it resides on. Image Credit John Gordon, Founder Expat Choice Asia and Sylvia Fernandes, Reporter and Singapore Community Leader
I for one love alfresco dining. Daydreaming, watching people go by was a favourite pastime. Grabbing a high table that looked out to the street, I was like a pig in mud on this rainy night.
Santi's, the latest concept by the Sarnies group has officially opened. Staring me in the face was the king of it all, an open fire oven that claims to be far more sustainably friendly than wood fire or coal ovens. At temperatures as high as 400 degrees, this amazing oven churns out pizza in 5-6 minutes.
Great turnover for takeout or delivery especially for those passing by wondering what to have for lunch. Dinner gave way to a different ambience. I loved the sound and smell of rain especially when I was dry, sitting indoors, looking out.
The Ohitashi Heirloom Tomato dish
Open for dinner from 4 – 10pm the limited menu of small plates were enough to entice me. But first, a cocktail which I was assured by Jonzen the Manager, was not sweet. Too right! I could actually taste the bitter taste which I love, originating from the gin.
I ordered the sparkling shrub – lemon & rosemary-infused gin, strawberry shrub and Prosecco. Delicious and a great aperitif. I had to try the other – Paina Rum Negroni. With pineapple infused rum, Campari, Martini Rosso and Amaro Montenegro was just as stunning. Presented in a tall wine glass, this was elegant and a pleasure to drink.
While there were only two cocktails on Santi’s menu, there were more options available in collaboration with Native, The Elephant Room and Smoke & Mirrors. What a cool concept! To collaborate with mixologists who are experts in their fields.
I am a big fan of collaboration so this was really up my alley. If only the world could drive out competition and replace it with collaboration, we would have a better outcome in the world on so many fronts. So much for my rant of the day!
Now that I had whet my appetite it was time to have some food. Deciding on lighter fare as we were running out to the Capitol Theatre for an evening with jazz, we ordered the Ohitashi Heirloom Tomato dish. What a stunning dressing – kombu dashi, white grape, red shiso and basil oil.
This paired well with the exquisitely grilled squid pictured above. Dressed with the most amazing brown butter, shio koji and kosho combination sauce. True testimony of a good restaurant - the squid was grilled so well but still managed to retain its tenderness.
Suffice to say that we held the empty plate back, waiting for the pizza to arrive so we could dunk the doughy part into this sauce. Finger licking good I say. We were already thinking of going back for another round of these two dishes.
Santi’s short for Santiago (the founder’s son) is about a dining experience in alfresco style that is made easy for conversation. It brings people together in a casual setting, encouraging people to eat, drink and be merry.
It also showcases the beauty of cooking with an open flame. Using the best produce, sustainability and low waste are top of mind. It is the perfect spot for a casual lunch, evening get-togethers or late-night pizza parties.
I already had a list of friends in mind who would love Santi’s. Our Catalan Salters Sourdough pizza arrived pictured below. In the oven for a mere five minutes grilled with roasted garlic confit, broccolini, ortiz anchovies, fior di latte and roasted garlic oil.
Seriously amazing combinations on this pizza with a crusty dough on the outside and chewy as I munched into it. The quality of food in Singapore just keeps going up and up. This was going to be a regular spot for me. Perfect to work from too as high tables afforded me a comfortable seat to watch passersby while allowing my creative mind to churn out ideas. Brilliant!
With seven pizza options on the menu it would be a good thing to have a few friends dine together so everyone could try a bit of each and decide on their favourite. It would be a hard choice though as everything on the menu was so ultra-delicious.
We didn’t have time for dessert. Had to run but with three amazing options on the list I knew I had to come back for a taste. Two of the three were my favourites too. Mille Feuille oven fried with smoked honey Chantilly and burnt nectarines. How could I not return? Even the description left me wanting. In fact the mere mention of Mille Feuille transported me back to my Dubai trip where our other Expat Choice contributor Arisa Chang lived for a few years.
With two young kids in tow we discovered amazing eateries in the Dubai Mall. Out for lunch and dinner on most days we found the best Mille Feuille at one café. It was a stroke of luck. Just like eating in a Parisian café it was a memory we both laugh about even till today as we still recall how we devoured every bite with an appreciative “ooo” and “yum”.
Today we are ever so excited when we find Mille Feuille on a menu. A hard find to say the least. Based on the food I had at Santi’s I know it will be good when I do visit again and it has to be with Arisa for a double whammy experience!
My other favourite which was on Santi’s menu was the double chocolate tart made with Manjari chocolate, yuzu tuille, smoked sea salt and crème diplomat. These desserts beckon to me that my return hopes to be even better than the first.
Santi’s here I come!
a. 138 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068603
