H O S T E D T A S T I N G
As of December 2017 when new Owner-Chef Jeremmy Chia took over the reins at “Le Binchotan”, he introduced not just a new menu but a new vision for the brand.
This is now a place where you can expect to savour his style of innovative creations that feature a blend of French and Japanese cuisines with the use of Binchotan incorporated into nearly every dish. The distinctive character of this Japanese “no flare” charcoal that burns more steadily, was creatively showcased to appetising results in the numerous items we were served last night. A dessert included.
To accompany his delicious creations, resident mixologist Gwendoline can be counted on to concoct any type of tipple you desire. Instead of simply choosing from the menu, I had asked her to surprise me and she did just that with a very pretty gin-based cocktail that contained raspberry liqueur, passion fruit syrup, lemon juice and egg white. It made me smile from ear to ear.
I liked all the dishes we had but if you’re to ask me which I’d rush back for, these would be them:

1) Bafun uni with corn custard, binchotan-charred corn, sea salt and shoyu pearls ($25++) - I loved the stunning mix of oceanic flavour with summery sweetness and the savoury.
2) Binchotan-roasted aubergine that was peeled, chilled and smothered in a sauce of sesame oil, greek yogurt and Japanese chilli oil and finished with crispy wild rice - a surprisingly appealing combination.
3) Little neck clams and enoki mushrooms in a sake-based broth with a bed of vichyssoise beneath ($20++) - the novel 2-step way of enjoying this was a bonus.
4) Braised beef cheek in molasses - fork-tender and fantastic in flavour, a must order for all red meat lovers.
5) Sakura ebi and shio kombu capellini ($27++) - a simple but perfect bowl of carbs with the 1-min-cooked pasta coated in the most scrumptiously umami olive oil.

Please note a couple of the dishes mentioned above are only available for weekday lunch as part of their customisable set meal in 2, 3 or 4 courses (priced at $27++, $37++, $42++ respectively).