Weekendin Singapore Feb '14 | Issue 11 | Page 32

intheTASTE intheTASTE SKIRT Experience a symphony of grilled meats and seafood at W Singapore’s modern grill restaurant, SKIRT, where leather and horn chandeliers and other details tell a story behind the concept of the restaurant. Racks of raw meat hung up on display in ageing cabinets and dishes served in copper pans and wooden platters, play along with its raw organic design aesthetic, infusing a rustic edge to an otherwise elegant setting. While we eagerly waited for the chef to prepare our dishes, a pan of soft buns was served together with chorizo oil. Warm and fluffy, it is easy to devour roll after roll, forgetting the whole menu lined up for the night. Pairing it with the chorizo oil that comes alongside adds an aromatic and slightly spicy flair to the plain buns. For starters, the server placed the SKIRT Made Blackmore Charcuterie in front of us, which was elegantly plated on a wooden platter. Served in an adorable copper pot, the liver pate leaves a whirl of complex flavours in your mouth, rendering you confounded. Should the taste be too overpowering for your palate, you can spread it on the accompanying crusty sourdough bread and savour it just the same. Laid tastefully on the platter are also two variations of cured blackmore, best taken with the thinly sliced asparagus and cauliflower for that added crunch. The pulled oxtail meat was so flavoursome to the point of being heavily addictive. Despite being known for its famed steaks, the Grilled King Prawns was what made my night. Simply split into halves and lightly seasoned with pepper, allowed the fresh sweetness of the prawns to be emphasised. A light squirt of lime over the gems of seafood further brings out the palatableness of the dish, making it more appetising. Each chewy bite was a mouthful of pure bliss – an exemplary dish indeed. Just as the earlier dishes start to whet the appetite, the Confit Pork Belly was introduced. A dainty slab is all you need to quell your craving for this fragrant dish. The gelatinous pork belly confit under a jacket of perforated crispy skin and a lace of amber-like caramelised sugar fairly justifies the number of calories consumed. Braised to possess a tender texture, the pork breaks apart in the mouth and does not coat the mouth with a layer of fatty oil. Lightly grilled pearl onions adorning the plate complement the pork. We breezed through the menu and reached the glorious moment for what was highly anticipated for – the Australian Black Market Sirloin. But before we progressed to the steak, two little bottles were presented – a palate cleanser Weekendin 32 Weekendin 32 concocted with apple juice and bourbon whiskey, and Barbeque Sauce to go with the beef. The cut from the back of the animal was grilled to perfection, leaving it wonderfully tender and juicy. The marbling in the sirloin is more intense than in other cuts, giving flavour and texture never tasted before. My cut of Marbling Score 5+ Sirloin had a deep smoky flavour that lingered as an aftertaste. For an extra oomph, you can sprinkle your choice of garlic, smoked or rosemary salt over the meat. As a grand finale to the hearty meal, the Texture of Champagne was an appealing dish, both visually and to the palate. As what its name suggests, this dessert was made with creating the different textures of champagne in mind. Served in a shot glass and drunk through a straw, was a shot of what felt like a champagne milkshake with a strong punch of alcohol. In a separate plate was champagne jelly strips with a pleasant bite and champagne mousse that resembled thick ice cream in terms of consistency. Creamy yet light, this chilled dessert was a great way to end the meal. SKIRT is a steakho W6RV