The bar tasting menu is now a thing. As restaurants roll out new tricks to impress punters, the tasting menu (usually paired with specific cocktails/wines, with you seated at the bar) is a way of offering something off menu and yet not too spontaneous (read: what’s left over). A well thought-out and executed bar tasting menu shows off the restaurant’s creativity and allows one to interact with the chef prepping your dish.

A recent one we experienced was at Portico, a place that’s easy enough to find: turn left after Gillman Barracks. Its new bar tasting menu is just as easy to experience, here’s why.

1 – You sit at the bar; the chef makes the dish in front of you. He explains the process and shows off the ingredients (all fresh, btw). How’s that for an eye-opening experience?

2 – Bar menu come in 5, 7, 9, or 11 courses and start at $90++. Don’t balk at the price, because…

3 – Portions are substantial, and you will be stuffed. It’s real value for money.

4 – The dishes we had were complex and confident, and they included a bit of molecular trickery.

Puffed seabass skin in dashi broth and kuzukiri noodles

5 – The dishes all killed, without exception. The seabass dish was fresh seabass from Pulau Ubin. You get fresh puffed skin, in dashi broth, with Kuzukiri noodle as a kick. The Tuna Tartar included pressed silverfish, shallots, chives, molecular soy sauce (little globules of it), micro parsley and a sorbet as a cleanser. We could name more, but you’ll eating different dishes anyway, because of what’s freshly available (see #1).

 6 – It takes three days to prep your courses (call ahead). How’s that for thoughtfulness?

Flamed eel with lemon mashed potatoes

7 – Ok one more: Flambed eel with lemon mashed potato and pan roasted mushrooms. Pair with champagne.

Portico only accepts reservations on their phone line, 6276 7337. Do state your dietary restriction when you make the call. Reservations have to be made strictly at least 3 days in advance (gives them time to prep something unique.. Cos you’re special).

Portico #01-10, 991B Alexandra Rd, Singapore 119970

7