A good meal is sometimes not only about the food and service – And Friends @ Jelita wants to create this atmosphere where friends can just gather for an enjoyable time together with polished modern European dishes.
The last time I been here has been more than a decade ago (and that was the 1st Pizza Hut in Singapore). This restaurant located at an expat-surrounded community of Jelita is comfortable and stylish, creating dishes that are innovative and interesting.
Few know that this food and wine group owner cum chef Thomas Chiam is an ‘IT person’ who only picked up cooking while studying overseas, and he demonstrates his dynamic and lively personality through his food experiments – therefore this beer-infused fare.
My favourite dish of the day was easily the Chilled Angel Hair Pasta & ‘Kronenbourg Blanc 1664’ Fish Roe ($13.90). This makes a cooling refreshing start, with the simple tossing with Japanese konbu, chives and white truffle essence giving the appetiser full favours.
I am guilty to say that I have never had Turducken (Turkey-Duck-Chicken) and this could be my new favourite Christmas dish replacing honey-baked ham. Chef Thomas’s version of Turducken ($49 for 1 kg, $23.90++ for dine in) is a multi-multi layered one with turkey pastrami, smoked duck and chicken wrapped with bacon. While the bacon could have overpowered the rest of the meats, this pig in a bird in a bird in a bird in a pig is succulent and not too heavy on the taste.
Another choice dish could be the ultra slow-cooked Pork Collar with ‘Kronenbourg 1664’ ($29 per kg – good for 5 people). Few actually use this part of the pig. Coming from the neck, the texture is slightly fatty ad does dry out when cooked for a long period of time, remaining firm yet tender.
Friends @ Jelita
293 Holland Road, #02-04 Jelita Shopping Centre (3 bus stops away from Holland Village), Tel: +65 6463 1011
Opening Hours: 12noon – 10pm Daily
Other Related Entries
N.Y.D.C (Bugis Junction)
Infusion (Dempsey)
The Tastings Room (Marina Square)
Singapore Sling Boutique (Clarke Quay)
TongKang Colonial Bar & Restaurant (Clarke Quay)
