Vios by Blu Kouzina

Have came across the opening of the new VIOS by Blu Kouzina fairly recently — the establishment had used to exist Hongkong Street, though it has been a while since they were last active. A concept by the same folks behind Blu Kouzina that is best known for serving up Mediterranean cuisine, Blu Kouzina has outlets in Sentosa, Siglap and Dempsey. VIOS by Blu Kouzina takes up a previously unoccupied space at the open-air atrium of One Raffles Quay — the atrium itself having seen quite a bit of a change ever since the building had undergone some asset enhancement works that also saw the opening of establishments like Volks Coffee Co. and Vino Tinto in the lobby, as well as the overhead pedestrian access linking up One Raffles Quay with IOI Central Boulevard. The space that VIOS by Blu Kouzina occupies is a non-airconditioned area; interestingly, these folks had managed to incorporate some form of an outdoor-sy, Mediterranean and tropical vibe with the space — the use of earthy colour tones with stone, wooden and rattan elements is a refreshing look for an establishment situated in the heart of the Central Business District where all else looks incredibly urbanised. With the space comprising of outdoor dining tables and chairs, the dine-in area at VIOS by Blu Kouzina sees the dining furniture being arranged in a manner that is optimised for groups patronising the establishment in pairs to up to four (4) pax — there is a larger table featuring the use of benches that works either as a table that can seat around eight (8) pax, or as a communal table for different groups of patrons to sit around. Unlike Blu Kouzina, VIOS by Blu Kouzina is a slightly more casual concept that is meant to bring Greek / Mediterranean cuisine to the health-conscious working-class crowd; the menu at VIOS by Blu Kouzina is split into sections dedicated to BYOB (Build Your Own Bowl), Signature Bowls, Mezze, Skewers and Wraps. VIOS by Blu Kouzina also offers a variety of bakery items split into Savoury and Sweet sections — all of which being prominently displayed at the counter. Beverages available at VIOS by Blu Kouzina will include a list of Refreshers, espresso-based specialty coffees and teas.

Given the option to go for a wrap against a grain bowl-esque offering, we found ourselves going for the Chicken Gyro Wrap from the Wraps section of the menu; the menu at VIOS by Blu Kouzina mentioned the Chicken Gyro Wrap coming with elements such as Greek pita, traditional chicken gyro, Tzatziki, onion, tomato and paprika. Sinking our teeth into the Greek pita, we already liked how the pita wrap does come with a texture that one would associate with well-executed flatbread; there is this slightly airy and fluffy texture that the flatbread carries — all that whilst being slightly toasty with a good tension to pull apart. There does seem to be a good portion of chicken gyro chunks that came with the Chicken Gyro Wrap that hints of the usual mix of spices that one would associate with chicken gyro — think the likes of paprika, cumin, turmeric, black pepper and lemon zest that is slightly zippy with a bit of savouriness and smokiness from being grilled. The Tzatziki further aeee a creamy touch to the Chicken Gyro Wrap; a bit similar to that of sour cream that provides a neutral note for all of the elements to gel together, while the inclusion of raw onions add a zingy note that cuts through everything to refresh the tastebuds. Slices of tomatoes in between also further adds a bit of juicy tang to the Chicken Gyro Wrap.

During the same visit to VIOS by Blu Kouzina, we ended our meal off with the Blackout Cake; this is described to be a Charcoal Chocolate Cake that is being served with Berry compote based on the description of the dish on the menu, though our order does come with a different compote that comes with an orange hue. Whilst most blackout cakes usually simply come with chocolate, the chocolate ganache layer for the Blackout Cake at VIOS by Blu Kouzina comes with the infusion of charcoal powder — this gives their Blackout Cake a jet black aesthetic where the ganache layer is. There is a hint of chocolate that runs throughout both the ganache layer and the sponge cake, though both elements aren’t overly sweet; the whiff of chocolatey notes running through at the back of the tongue — the ganache layer did turn out a bit less moist and runny as what we had initially expected. The sponge cake layer was however sufficiently moist and fluffy. Meanwhile, the fruit compote did carried a hint of flavours that replicated apricot but with a very zingy and tangy note — a wee bit too sour for us when matched against the chocolatey elements of the cake especially considering how the compote also exists as a layer in the middle of the cake as well.

Opting for a cuppa to go along with the food items they we have ordered, we went with the EVOO Coffee that con be opted as a hot beverage or a cold beverage. We went for the hot rendition of the EVOO Coffee and patrons can actually opt for their desired level of sweetness — from No Sugar, Regular and Medium. VIOS by Blu Kouzina claims to use their very own concoction of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for the EVOO Coffee — we were initially expecting something more similar to that of the local butter-infused Nanyang-style Kopi but it turns out that the entire concoction is much more well-integrated than what we had thought of it to be; perhaps for is the lighter nature of extra virgin olive oil that made the entire combination feel less greasy somewhat. The cuppa does carry an underlying sweetness whilst being one that featured a light body and a nutty flavour profile, with a very slight floral note coming from the infusion of extra virgin olive oil.

Despite the number of establishments serving up salad bowls / grain bowls and wraps that are situated in the Central Business District, VIOS by Blu Kouzina does stand out in a manner considering how Greek / Mediterranean cuisine aren’t typically served this way in the local F&B scene in Singapore — VIOS by Blu Kouzina does attempt to make such Greek / Mediterranean cuisine more easily available to the office folks working in the Central Business District as an interesting option against the many F&B establishments serving the same target audience. One thing that we found to be especially worth commending is the level of service that they deliver — their hospitality goes way beyond what one would expect for a quick-service dining establishment; perhaps closer to that of friendly cafe that goes beyond their way to ensure that they do make an impression with their patrons with their more personable yet fun-loving approach that is a different vibe and character in the Central Business District. Greek / Mediterranean cuisine have always been priced a little higher and VIOS by Blu Kouzina does fall somewhat in the pricey category for an establishment serving wraps and grain bowls even in the Central Business District; their Signature Bowls and Wraps offerings being priced from $13.50 to $21.50 — the lower-priced items generally being their Wraps. Still, an establishment that is definitely worth checking out once just to have a glimpse of the Blu Kouzina experience; though one spot that we would definitely think of if wanting to splurge on a salad / grain bowl or a wrap to go along with a bakery item on a weekday lunch!