In the vibrant tapestry of Singapore's dining scene, where each restaurant is a unique chapter in the city's food narrative, a new star has risen - Tempt. Helmed by the masterful Gluttoness Temptress herself, Candice Leong, whose private dining events and special occasions have long tantalised our taste buds, this restaurant has been a much-anticipated addition to Singapore's gastronomic landscape. Recently, I had the privilege of dining at Tempt with a group of six friends and the experience easily exceeded my lofty expectations.
From the moment you step into Tempt, you are transported into a world of culinary enchantment. The restaurant's ambience is a mesmerising blend of elegance and eccentricity, designed to captivate your senses. It's an audio-visual spectacle, adorned with works by local artists, sets the stage for the culinary journey that awaits.
One of the standout features of Tempt is its industrial-style circular indoor-outdoor bar, a true gem that elevates the dining experience. Nestled in the heart of the restaurant, this stylish bar offers a unique opportunity to savour pre-dinner cocktails in an al fresco setting. With its open design seamlessly blending the indoors and outdoors, guests can bask in the warm Singaporean breeze while sipping on meticulously crafted cocktails. Whether you're enjoying a classic Negroni or a signature concoction created by Tempt's talented mixologists, the circular bar adds an element of sophistication and relaxation, making it the perfect spot to gather with friends before indulging in the delicious delights that await.
At Tempt, the menu is a testament to Candice Leong's culinary prowess honed over her many years of travelling and living abroad. Fresh and seasonal ingredients are a must and each dish is an exquisite work of art, meticulously composed to titillate the taste buds.
There are no shortage of unique and inviting dishes to try so one is advised to share as much as possible otherwise food FOMO is sure to set in. Some of the smaller dish highlights included Kangaroo Tartare - a daring start to our meal and not something often found on the little red dot. Dressed with green peppercorn oil and accompanied by toasted quinoa, pickled yellow beets, shoyu garlic puree, tarragon oil and crostini, this dish was a unique burst of flavours and textures.
The more classic but still with a twist, Hokkaido Scallop Carpaccio, was delicacy personified. Served with Shio koji nagaimo-jalapeno-caper salsa and wasabi-crème fraiche gelato, it was a refreshing and invigorating blend of sea and spice.
The Puffed Beef Tendons, a dish that combined luxury with indulgence, adorned with Jamon Iberico and Kaluga caviar. The crispy texture of the tendons complemented the richness of the ingredients, creating a harmonious bite.
And with a name to tempt, Schexy Shmalz & Churned Konbu Butter was a revelation in umami. The rendered pork lard with crackling and pouchon sourdough was a crispy, heavenly accompaniment to the churned konbu butter.
Onto the comfort food section of the menu known cheekily as Coquettish Comforts, we indulged in the beautifully prepared 15 Minute Egg - accompanied by cured blue-fin tuna heart and a shiitake and king oyster mushroom ragout. The interplay of textures and flavours was stunning.
And gno it's gnot gnocchi! Gnaughty Gnudi are pillow-like ku chye, spinach and ricotta dumplings - a testament to the artistry of pasta-making. Served with sage butter semolina sauce and grated parmigiano, they were a comforting and indulgent delight.
One the men at the table couldn't get enough of was the BBQ Beef Shortrib - quite the showstopper blending savoury and sweetness, it was glazed with homemade fresh fruit BBQ sauce and accompanied by deep-fried baby corn in husk and caramelized konbu cream.
Tempt in Singapore, under the skillful guidance of Candice Leong, the Gluttoness Temptress, is a culinary wonderland that transcends traditional dining experiences. It's a place where artistry meets gastronomy, and each dish is a masterpiece in itself. If you're ready to embark on a multisensory journey of taste and aesthetics, Tempt is the place to be. Be sure to book your table in advance, as this restaurant is bound to be the hottest ticket in town.
a. 31 Purvis St, Singapore 188608
w. tempt.sg
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