Dining in a cave? Well, a man-made one.
Cavern Restaurant at Rainforest Wild ASIA is designed to make you feel like you are dining in a cave.
Inspired by the Mulu Caves of Sarawak, it stretches along a 220-metre tunnel carved out to resemble a limestone cavern.
The stone textures, shadows and crystalline features create an atmosphere that is both theatrical and slightly disorienting.
It is dark enough that you may fumble with your phone camera, but it certainly does not feel like a regular restaurant in Singapore.
I admit there was something oddly entertaining about sitting down to a meal while surrounded by rock walls. And Jisoo’s “Your Love” and other songs playing quite repeatedly.
And oh, you don’t need a ticket as it is located outside the Rainforest Wild ASIA.
Managed by TungLok Group, the menu is pitched as international Western flavours with some local touches.
Main courses include Caveman’s Meat Skewer ($38), Mushroom Ragout Fettuccini ($22), Carbonara with sous vide egg and smoked bacon ($22), Cave Smoked Rib with BBQ sauce and burnt lemon ($32), Sanchoku F1 Wagyu Beef Tomahawk Steak ($17 per 100g, min 1.3kg), and Beef Short Rib Bossam ($12 per 100g, min 1.2kg).
Just to name a few.
From my own meal, the Mushroom Soup ($12) was smooth and earthy, a good start that leaned on classic flavours.
The Truffle Fries ($15) turned out to be one of my favourites of the evening, crisp and well-seasoned, lifted with the umami of shio kombu and parmesan.
The Hunter’s Board ($88), however, was mixed.
It looked impressive on arrival, piled with pork rib, beef tenderloin, chicken and tiger prawns, but a few meats leaned on the tougher side.
The pork rib and tenderloin in particular felt overdone, even though I had asked for the beef medium rare.
The Mushroom Ragout Fettuccini ($22) fared better, with creamy sauce clinging to the pasta and the mushrooms carrying good depth of flavour.
Service kept to the theme with friendly staff in safari uniforms, which added to the fun.
While some dishes were stronger than others, the restaurant delivers on atmosphere and concept.
Dining in a ‘cave’ may sound gimmicky, but sometimes that is enough to draw a crowd.
Cavern Restaurant
Rainforest Wild ASIA #02-32, 20 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729825
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm (Mon – Sun)
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