Does Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen live up to the hype?

Does Gordon Ramsay’s first foray into Singapore – Bread Street Kitchen – live up to the hype? Our resident foodie gives it a thorough once over.

When Gordon Ramsay came to town for a cook-off with Singapore’s hawker uncles, there was quite a bit of fanfare. Yes, Chef Ramsay has many a Michelin star and his hit TV shows like Hell’s Kitchen and MasterChef US but what about wok-hei? When the results were in, he won some (chilli crab) and he lost some (laksa and chicken rice). But it was worth the heat as the fanfare paved the way for the opening of Ramsay’s first restaurant in Singapore, Bread Street Kitchen.

The Digs
Bread Street Kitchen is generally packed and buzzing, giving it a good hum of atmosphere. Perched on the waterfront side of MBS, the restaurant transposes its dark décor of black leather furnishings, dark timber, black and white tiles, with one side of glass windows that give way to that killer city view, especially dazzling in the evenings. There are two levels: the cocktail bar on the ground floor level and the basement level offering semi-private dining with small booths and an open plan kitchen. For a weekend lunch, seats are coveted and the cocktail bar sees diners eating at the counter, adding to the casual vibe.

The Food
The menu is a mix of traditional British gastro fare alongside a few Asian-inspired offerings (Tamarind Chicken Wings, Bang Bang Chicken Salad). The go-to here is the Traditional Fish and Chips — crispy battered Hoki alongside crushed peas and tartar sauce. Slow-roasted Dingley Dell Pork Belly is another British export and the dish comes as two slices of pork on apple puree, drizzled in a delicious gravy. The crackling is devilishly good, but as the pork doesn’t come with any greens or accompaniments (you have to order these extra, like the Red onion and Carrot Coleslaw or the Spiced Honey Carrots) the dish does look overwhelmingly devoid of colour. Homesick Brits can tuck into posh Shepherd’s pie with braised lamb or Black Angus Sirloin steak (300 Days Grain Fed 10oz). However it was a departure from the obvious Brit fare – the Sea Bass Fillet Carpaccio, with avocado purée, freshly grated horseradish and ginger – that was the standout dish for us.

Kids
If you’re coming with kids, know that they’ll get a fun little pack complete with chef hat and colouring set. On the kids’ menu there’s everything from aforementioned Fish & Chips to Caesar Salad. For their dessert, the ice-cream option is an inspired addition. Your darlings get whisked off to the kitchens while you can sit back and finish off your wine, while they choose their own ice-cream to decorate. From mint chocolate chip to coconut, it’s all homemade and frankly so delicious that it’s a crime they don’t offer this to the grown ups. Your kids get to drizzle sauce and garnish with honeycomb, biscuits and marshmallows before returning, undoubtedly grinning cheek to cheek to tuck in.

‘Adult’ desserts include the Pineapple Carpaccio with Passion Fruit and Coconut Sorbet, a lovely refreshing and light dessert. Meanwhile the much-anticipated British stalwart of Banana Sticky Toffee Pudding, while good, wasn’t as oozingly sticky as we’d have wished. Though really, once you tuck into those ice creams, everything else will pale a little in comparison.

Bread Street Kitchen, Bay Level, L1-81, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Tel: (+65) 6688 5665 

www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants/celebrity-chefs/bread-street-kitchen