Modern asian restaurant and bar CATO looks set to be a hot spot for dinner and pre-party drinks in Chinatown, Singapore
Taking over what used to be the first OCBC Bank and the now-closed restaurant-bar The Vault, CATO in Chinatown has great interior bones, and the brains behind this new dining concept sure knew how to its charm with high-glass doors, motif tiles, ebony wood tables, and rough-hewn brick walls. If looks matter, then CATO killed with a look that is refined industrial-chic.
But the new dining establishment is not all form and little substance. The menu boast a solid range of craft beers like Crew Republic’s Drunken Sailer Indian Pale Ale and Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier. Food-wise, there are modern Asian creations like spicy tom yam risotto ($24) as well as the inventive fish and chips served with Chinese vinegar and sriracha tartar sauce ($18). Can’t decide? Look out for dishes labelled as customers’ favourites and chef’s recommendation!
On our visit, we took things slow and started with two tapas – the zesty grilled garlic prawns ($12), and grilled asparagus and enoki mushroom wrapped in bacon ($10) – to go with our beers. Ingredients were uber fresh and they certainly whet our appetites for more. As for our mains, we ordered the steak tartare that was topped with quail egg ($16) and served with thin slices of toasted bread. Gorgeously marbled, the cold meat dish was refreshing – a good choice if you want something light. If you’re hungry, go for the best-selling pork rillettes burger ($22), which is doused in special, flavour-packed cumin chilli sauce.
No meal is complete without some great dessert. The lemongrass crème brulee ($12), with caramelised sugar cracked beautifully to reveal smooth, creamy custard, is a must-try. Chocolate fans, be sure to leave some room for their Valrhona warm pistachio chocolate cake ($12) – the centre is filled with a thick, gooey chocolate fudge that will finish your meal perfectly.
CATO, 237 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058786, p. 8299 6434. Open Tue-Fri 5pm-12am, Sat 5pm-1am. Closed Sun & Mon.