Singapore is fast becoming Asia’s culinary capital. F&B forerunners are aggressively pushing through trends in food and drink, and KUVO may have found the winning formula to stay on our radar.
Wouldn’t everyone agree that ambience is a necessary accompaniment to dining? The people behind KUVO feel just the very same and have given us four different ways to enjoy our dining indulgences. Each area maintains an east-meets-west, past-meets-future interior design with Japanese shoji screens blending with the sleek contemporary furnishing – giving anyone who enters a sepia-coloured welcome.
However, don’t expect them to just be different areas cornered off. KUVO is proud of their multi-concept approach and boasts that each space provides its own intimate and serene atmosphere. From the main dining areas of the Ambrosia I & II and Gazebo to the Vine Lounge and the Elixir bar for wine and cocktail aficionados, and finally, to the Gift Shop for those who want to bring home a piece of the KUVO experience, the entire 9000sqft provides the ideal location for important intimate moments, like birthdays and anniversaries, or, even for corporate events (which is sure to impress!).
Starting from 12 noon, KUVO serves an All-Day a la carte menu from Monday to Sunday, encapsulating everything from Western- to Chinese-style breakfast to hearty main course items (and even an All-day Breakfast menu). Having been to several international buffets (hence, my never-ending battle with my waistline), I must say, I was not confident of a restaurant trying more than it can handle. However, KUVO’s chefs are not joking around.
While shamelessly stuffing myself with the dishes they have to offer, I was most taken with their local delights menu; Laksa Lemak, with the generous serving of a Slipper Lobster! In fact, I loved it so much I went back for a second serving. The broth is indeed richer than what you get from your local coffee shop, and the combination with a fresh and succulent slipper lobster makes it a dish worth coming back for. They also boast other local favourites such as the King Prawn Noodle Soup and their own upgraded take on the Nasi Lemak.
On top of their already extensive main menu, they have one of the more value-for-money Afternoon Tea Buffet deals in the city centre! At just S$35, you get access to Asian delights such as beef rendang, a generous cheese platter, and a ready-to-please desert and pastry corner (they are also more than willing to heat up your pastries to their crisp perfection if you desire so). With their extensive selection of teas, you also get a refillable Three-Tier full of afternoon tea delights ranging from finger sandwiches to Scallop topped Yam Balls (my favourite!). Truly a fantastic deal you should get into if you’re ever in Orchard from 2.00pm to 5.30pm.
While filling up on what the KUVO kitchen proudly has to offer, I got to sample some of the 140 wine labels their Vine Lounge had to offer. Including exclusive selections like the bubbly by Antica Fratta Brut and Pinot Bianco by J.Hofstatter, it is out to spoil any oenophiles out there. Not to mention, the whole gentleman club-like ambience made it a great place to relax after dinner, or for those workaholics, it doubles as a classy environment for business meetings. Of course, there’s also an incredibly friendly (and charming) sommelier who definitely knows his stuff – there’s no need to worry if you’re just starting to appreciate wine or just wondering which would be a good pairing, he is there to provide you with the best KUVO can offer.
Last but not least, we have the passionate Yutaka Nakashima manning the Elixir Bar with his 16-years-worth of experience in bartending and cooking. He combines both his expertise and reinvents classic cocktails like the Bloody Mary, where it was given a refreshing new twist with cherry tomatoes instead.
My own guilty pleasure would be the Ginseng Gin & Tonic; where the bitterness of the ginseng was perfectly melded into the classic cocktail, making it an invigorating and powerful drink (Don’t down these too fast!). They are well accompanied by Small Plates, including their signature KUVO Coffee Hot Wings and even freshly shucked oysters!
Another corner of KUVO I enjoyed checking out was their Gift shop. Completely decked out in delicious goodies such as the cookies and cheesecakes (they even have a Pumpkin Cheesecake right now!) seen at TCC outlets and specially crafted chocolates in a range of flavours from Earl Grey Bark to liquor-infused ones, they even have wines, coffee beans and many more exquisite gifts available.
Verdict
Truly a jack of all trades. KUVO has impressed me with their numerous options, more than enough to keep me there from opening to closing. I will be aiming for a window seat during this festive period during the evening – to spend a chilled out evening with my close friends while viewing the spectacular Christmas lights Orchard Road has become famous for, and of course, all while nursing Yutaka Nakajima’s ingenious Ginseng Gin & Tonic.
It is also a great venue for events or a cosy party to celebrate a special occasion. The liquor selection is also rather comprehensive offering sought after vintages or varieties.
KUVO is located at Orchard Shopping Centre, #02-01 321 Orchard Road from 12pm to 1am, from Sun to Thurs and PH, or 2am on Fri, Sat and PH eve. Reservations are available at reservation@KUVO.com.sg / +65 6733-8272.
About the Writer
Jessica is a young lady of many obsessions. She gets herself into everything ranging from the latest in the monochrome fashion world (she only wears black, and sometimes, white) to convincing the masses that Community is the best TV series ever made.
Currently, she enjoys looking like Sailor Mercury had a baby with Wednesday Addams.
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