Don’t be fooled by the G-word, you’ll definitely leave stuffed after a single visit
To say that Open Door Policy gives gluten-free lifestyle a good name is kind of an understatement.
In fact, the European bistro may have just gone above and beyond to shatter all misconceptions of going gluten-free. Well, for us it totally has.
Located in the hip neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru, Open Door Policy has revised its menu, turning it entirely gluten-free in the bid to cultivate wholesome cooking. We mean, if you’re going to do something, why not go all the way right? Well, the restaurant has too adopted a dairy-free policy.
Watercress Soup ($18)
Feeling slightly skeptical, we ease our cheese-loving beings into the rustic setting of the restaurant’s space. An open-kitchen concept is in full view, while herbs and vegetables lined the walls of the outlet. We are told the restaurant uses the growing greens in the dishes, which we have the first taste of from the Watercress Soup ($18). Creamy, flavourful with that familiar somewhat bitter taste, the soup is topped with an organic poached egg which we slurp up gratefully. Rivaling the broth is another greenie, the Warm Wasabi Greenpea Scallop Soup ($23) that pricks the nose with its spicy blend of green pea and wasabi.
Pickled Beetroot Salad ($18)
To cut the heat, the Pickled Beetroot Salad ($18) is a welcome followup with its refreshing mix of tangy beetroot bits, sweet pomelo flesh and nutty wild rocket leaves. But for something more substantial, look to Avocado Jumbo Rump Crab Salad ($25) that boasts crispy green kale, sweet corn kernels, salted egg yolk crumble, and fried charcoal bread – a party of flavours in short.
Using rice-flour pasta, the Spaghetti Alle Vongole ($28) will easily satisfy any carb lover’s appetite sans the dreaded gluten component. Indulgent with a creamy Japanese white miso base, the noodle dish is topped with heapings of white clams that are sweet as they come.
Pan Seared Thread Fin ($32)
Our gluten-free voyage at sea continues with the Pan Seared Thread Fin ($32) and the Sous Vide Salmon ($32). The former came with a side of Thai mango salad, tossed with cashew nuts and dried sakura shrimps, that complimented the tender thread fish, while the latter is presented swimming in a miso chili daikon broth to warm the coldest of souls.
For meat eaters, order the Roasted Pork Rack ($38) that is tender as it is flavourful, thanks to the five-spice marination before oven-roasted. Served with baked purple sweet potatoes and blanched broccolini, the rack comes with an accompanying sweet and spicy pineapple sauce.
Dairy Free Apple Crumble ($16)
The desserts may be the ultimate test to Open Door Policy’s gluten- and dairy-free stance; starting with the Calamansi Chocolate Tart ($16) that will probably score points with citrus lovers. Pretty to look at, the dessert’s calamansi and lime zest custard is adorned with torched meringue peaks, before presented in a no-bake bitter chocolate tartshell. Up next is the Cashew Nut Milk Custard ($16) that is forgettable due to its unfortunate timing of arriving alongside the show-stopping Dairy Free Apple Crumble ($16). Rolled out from oat flour, the dessert encapsulates everything you would expect from the classic – packing with eight spices, flavourful apple bits and crumbly pastry. The icing on the cake, or crumble, is the dousing of a cashew milk-formulated crème anglaise for that added sweetness and creaminess.
Address: 19 Yong Siak Street, S168650
Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday – Friday (12pm – 11pm); Saturday and Sundays (11am – 11pm), Closed on Tuesdays
Tel: 62219307
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