Who says that you can't find good Western food in the heartlands? Alkove in Kovan is the living example of that, with 1 Michelin star Chef Haikal Johari at the helm of French classic dishes and cafe fare. I was recently invited to the trendy, bright and comfortable restaurant to try out the dishes and found them worth a visit if you are around the area.
Here's the bistro (cafe + restaurant) which has a coffee and pastries counter. I like the terrazzo table top at the side, and the clean decor. Surprisingly the acoustics of the place isn't that bad either with no loud sounds bouncing off the walls. You also can't smell anything from the kitchen, which is excellent.
Here's the menu which I screen grabbed off their website.
During the dinner tasting, we started with the Vol Au Vent and French Onion Gratineé (S$12.90). The Vol Au Vent was a delicate puff pastry filled with a rich beef filling. However I can't find it on their website's menu so maybe it was a special for the day. 3/5
The French Onion Gratineé was a warm bowl of soup topped with a layer of melted cheese with whole bread pieces soaked in the rich broth. The soup was sweet and savory, with a hint of smokiness that made it irresistible, and one of our favs of the night 4/5.
Next up was the Chorizo Pasta (S$18.90), which was made with tagliatelle, pimiento (a kind of cherry pepper) and petit pois. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the chorizo added a nice savoury touch to the dish, except it could be chunkier as it was barely perceptible. It's quite a basic dish but I'd say its done decently for pasta fans. 3.5/5
For the main course, we had the Chicken Cordon Bleu (S$22.90), which was made with oozy cheese-stuffed chicken served with a side of fries and salad. The chicken was still warm when we got to it after taking photos and remained juicy and tender and the cheese filling was melty and comforting. The fries were crispy and well-seasoned too while the salad added a nice fresh touch.
I think this dish showcased the bistro's capabilities well in cooking the batter lightly and so crispy on the outside while retaining the juiciness and oozy cheese inside - a must-try! 4.5/5
For dessert, we had the Matcha Yuzu loaf slice (S$5.70) and the Kouign-Amann (S$5.70). The Matcha Yuzu loaf slice was a bit dry to me and was the worst dish of that evening. However, the Kouign-Amann was perfectly flaky, with a buttery and caramelized crispy exterior that all good Kouign-Amanns should have. The sweetness was just right, making it the perfect ending to a delightful meal.
Overall, Alkove is a great place to enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family. Chef Haikal Johari's expertise shines through in every dish and the service is friendly as well. The Chorizo Pasta and Chicken Cordon Bleu were our favourites, but don't forget to end your meal with the Kouign-Amann.
🙅 Thank you, next
🤷 Try if nearby ✔️
💁 Bookmark this
Alkove
2 Kovan Road, 01-10 Simon Plaza, Singapore 548008
Mondays, Wednesday to Fridays 10am-9pm, Saturdays and Sundays 9am-9pm (no reservations from 9am-5.30pm)
Closed on Tuesdays
Reservations on Chope
Post a Comment