Cover Image: Facebook (Whitegrass)
Australian cuisine is a mix of old and the new. It has influences from indigenous societies that trace their existence on the land more than 40,000 years back.
Their food reflects the ‘hunter-gatherer’ diet. On the other hand, Australian food has also been greatly influenced by British and Irish immigrants as the country was a collection of British colonies from 1788 to 1900.
Meat production has been an important part of Australian agriculture. Thus, pride in high-quality meat is imbibed in every Australian. In fact, barbequing is considered tradition in the country. Modern Australian food is a recent wave of nouvelle cuisine establishments focusing on fresh produce and contemporary adaptation of dishes. Here is our pick of where to find the best Australian food in Singapore.
Osia Steak and Seafood Grill
Australian celebrity chef Scott Webster chose Resorts World Sentosa to house his plush Australian restaurant, Osia Steak and Seafood Grill. The wood-paneled dining room boasts of an open kitchen, offering visual culinary entertainment to diners. The Rare Byron Bay Berkshire pork belly is our top pick here, how could it not be given that it is served with bacon potatoes. The sous vide octopus is thickly sliced and cooked to perfection too.
Whitegrass
A visual delight, Whitegrass in Chijmes is pretty as a picture, with hues of pink, beige and mint. The food is modern-Australian, creative and inspired. Whitegrass puts a lot of emphasis on fresh produce, which Chef Sam Aisbett reportedly buys himself from the local wet market. Try the tasting menu, featuring both meats and vegetarian creations crafted artistically.
Salt Grill and Sky Bar by Luke Mangan
One of the best spots for a bird-eye view of the city, Salt Grill and Sky Bar is perfect for a client dinner. Sophisticated and exclusive, it even has a private elevator that takes you up 55 floors to this elegant dining room. Soak in views of twinkling lights below as you sip on your glass of wine, chosen from their extensive wine list. The single-page menu may seem limited but each item is excellent, especially the steak.
Salted & Hung
As the name suggests, Salted & Hung is all about meat, especially the non-conventional cuts. Think beef tongue, translated on to your plate after being cooked sous vide for 60 hours, such that it bends to the will of the fork on touch. Like Salt Grill and Sky bar, Salted & Hung also serves a dessert inspired by the national obsession – Tim Tam. End your meal with this chocolate coated biscuit with surprises within that hint at flavours of peanut butter and milk chocolate.
The Pump Room
With a racier vibe than most others on this list, The Pump Room at Clark Quay is a great spot for people-watching. The micro-brewery and bistro transform into a club, come night, not for one moment compromising on the quality of food served. The Pump Room Lager goes well with garlic prawns tossed in extra virgin olive oil.
Burnt Ends
Rounding up this list, Burnt Ends is no stranger to accolades and awards. In fact, it sits smartly on #12 spot of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2018, following the exit of Restaurant Andre from this list. Not many people know that Burnt Ends is one of Chef Andre’s business concerns in the city. The narrow space with counter seating facing the kitchen and grills, reminds one of ramen shops or sushi bars in Tokyo. Reservation is notoriously hard to get, with waiting lists running into two months. The portions are small, fine-dining style, save for their popular sanger, which can satisfy hunger pangs without breaking the bank.
