The bright pinkish-red signboard, checkerboard pattern, and oversized food photos may feel slightly over the top in this Redhill coffee shop, but it certainly caught my eye.
Uncle Lim’s Diner is found within 227 River Valley Rd (it was previously located at Meet@55 coffeeshop at Lengkok Bahru), bringing Western food fare with a splash of retro American aesthetics.
Young hawkers Jeremy Lim and Joyce Sih are no ‘uncles’, bringing with them experience in professional Latin American kitchens.
The menu is organised into categories featuring items such as Chicken Cutlets and Chops ($7.50 to $8.90), Fish and Chips ($9.90), Pan-Seared Salmon ($12.50), and Chicken Burger ($7.50).
These are complemented by various sides including Aglio Olio Pasta ($5), Tomato Pasta ($5), Pilaf Rice ($3), and Mashed Potato ($3), just in case you need something extra to fill your tummy.
I decided to go for the classic recommended Chicken Chop with Pasta ($8.50), with choice of alio olio or tomato base.
The chicken thighs undergo a thirty-six-hour marination process with paprika and herbs, ensuring the flavour penetrates deep into the muscle fibres.
Then, the meat is pan-seared to achieve a smoky char that adds a necessary bitterness to the skin and savoury meat.
Surprise, surprise… I enjoyed the alio olio slightly better though, tossed in a garlic confit that smelled so wonderful.
The Fish and Chips ($9.90) offers a departure from the soggy, oily dory fish often found in budget eateries.
The kitchen uses sea bass, which is a firmer and more flavourful white fish that holds its shape well under the heat of the fryer. (However, I did wish the pieces were slightly bigger.)
The batter uses Japanese tempura flour mixed with soda water to create a lighter, crispier texture.
While the portion of fish might appear slightly smaller, the quality of the flesh was noticeably higher.
It came served with a tartare sauce that was surprisingly bright and addictive with the fries.
If you need some starters for sharing, there are Fries Grande ($6), Cheezy Fries ($5), Nacho Chips ($6.50), Chicken Nuggets ($4), and Wild Mushroom Soup ($4.50).
For those looking for something beyond the standard sides, there are also Latin American influences such as guacamole served with nacho chips or fries, made from Hass avocados and lime juice.
Uncle Lim’s Diner proves you do not need a fancy postcode to serve coffeeshop food with professional standards.
Uncle Lim’s Diner
227 River Valley Road, Singapore 238285
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 8:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
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