Where to Eat

A971 Cafe

Named after their Tokyo flagship outlet, Low Po-Yu takes you on a sensory outing.

The cheese risotto has been lingering in my mind. That’s a sign of its tastiness!

I can imagine myself savour mouthful after mouthful of the smooth and creamy fluffed rice, sautéed with just the right amount of cheese for that irresistible fragrance and flavour. A971’s Director Yoshi-san tells me this is many ladies’ firm favourite, with the cheese so deliciously light, it doesn’t make them feel sinful. Then, I laze back on my outdoor chair to take in the river view and sip one of their signature cocktails – Okinawa Sunrise, a blend of awamori (rice alcohol unique to Okinawa), orange and grenadine.

Chill-out tunes wafts through the air from the lounge where they play their own mixes that turn upbeat from 10pm. Built upon the pillars of art, design, food and music, A971 aims to create a feeling of community for everyone and the Riverside Point location was chosen as the waters denotes life and vibrancy.

Mid-century Japanese design meets ultra-urbanized Tokyo through fittings like the ornamental ceiling lamp amidst sleek seats and Japanese period drama video images cast on an unfinished stone wall.

The experience of this dining group that runs some 35 concept outlets in Japan shines through in their stringent standards of food excellence and beauty. Hoshi-san shares that they “think global, respect local”, which means they aim to further enhance the taste of their original Tokyo recipe dishes with local ingredients. For example, the Tomato & Fruits Caprese with peach, strawberry, mozzarella cheese cubes in ooba (Japanese basil) sauce with ume-shiso (plum paste and herb leaves) has just been dropped as the flavour couldn’t soar new heights with Singapore ingredients.

If you like seafood in tangy sauce, I recommend the Yam Woonsen with warm hues from flying fish roe and yuzu (pomelo) dressing atop fresh seafood like scallop and prawn, complemented with silvery mung bean noodles.

Ginger Pork (left) and Yam Woonsen (right)

Another pleaser is the Ginger Pork lovingly stewed with wholesome veggies like carrot and broccoli in a cocotte pot that oozes homeliness. The caramelized fine hair-like threads of ginger is a delicate touch and highly addictive! For dessert, Matcha Mousse with Mango Sauce and strawberries is a tangy-sweet option.