What a name! MAD which stands for Modern Asian Diner is a collaboration between TungLok Group, Bar Stories and Dick Lee. I am guessing the name must have been suggested by Dick Lee, the flamboyant Singapore performer, composer and playwright.
This was an invited review to see what MAD has to offer and it was it is quite an interesting concept. I would not have worded it any nicer sounding than this press release by them:
"The split-levelled MAD features a bar, manned by famed mixologist Kino from Bar Stories; a charcoal-powered Josper Oven to enhance the flavour profile of meats and seafood; a specially fitted and designed Omakase-style tapas counter; and a wine cellar and tasting room by Top Wines, which boasts one of the most extensive wine lists in Singapore; and a bakery and bread boutique by Bakerzin which will serve freshly baked artisan breads."
During the day, this place is a bakery, cafe and dim sum place.
During the night, it transform into a restaurant and cocktail bar.
I heard that during the day, Dim Sum Trolleys will be going around serving Dim Sums here. For those who are nostalgic. Bring your parents or grandparents!
MAD occupies two levels. On the first level has a bakery and a cafe seating area.
(Residents of Bukit Timah on the way home at night, drop by for some bread near their closing time. I think it was 50% off. I bought some after dinner.)
As you have probably experience it, with the recent labour restrictions, more and more restaurants are deploying tablets to take over what humans can do. Everything you want to order can be done through this iPad.
Oh yes, you can preview your bill at anytime too!
(Now, they should have an app to rearrange the bill according to the diners ya? As an IT guy, I know it can be done!)
During the night, you have the Bar that's manned by famed mixologist Kino from Bar Stories. They specialise in tea and coffee based cocktails. Talk to them, let the mixologist come up with something, either alcoholic or non-alcoholic that suits your 'mood' at the moment.
Here's some photo of the beautiful creations. These were what we had:
I did not note down the name of the drinks. It was just so beautiful. This last one was the cutest with a little rubber duckie on it!
>> The Restaurant
Artisanal Bread from bakery.
MAD Baby Ribs with Homemade Barbeque Sauce
You can mark this place as one of the places for delicious ribs. Well marinated and done really well. Tender meat, wonder their charcoal oven had an special powers.
I like how it was served in a wooden board. So rustic and the presentation already makes you hungry by looking at it.
Foie Gras Terrine
The terrine goes well with the bread that they serve. If you order this, don't finish up the bread when they are served. Save them for the terrine. It had a nice texture and less oily too. I know some of you only prefer your Foie Gras pan seared.
Teriyaki Glazed Mushrooms with Cuttlefish Tagliatelle
Other than the ribs, this was also my favourites for the night. That's not green pasta but cuttlefish! It's not tough cuttlefish either. It's something you will probably order seconds.
I read from Bibik Gourmand's blog that portobello mushroom has been sous-vide. No wonder they taste just nice. (now to find out the ideal temp to sous vide portobello!)
Mushroom Risotto with Poached Egg.
Beautifully done. It's tedious cooking this. It reminds me of the 'cooking' competition that I was preparing risotto everyday to perfect it and on time too.
The mushroom flavour was not too overpowering and they added a poached egg. It seems they know that many people are obsessed with poached eggs!
For the tasting portion, they poached mini quail eggs for us too! So cute eh!
Rum and Banana Tatin with Vanilla Ice Cream.
They have a dessert menu and you can satisfy your sweet tooth by ordering through the iPad. ;-)
I liked the caramelized banana with the ice cream.
For those with kids and your kids can't get enough of macarons. Order them!
The kitchen is helmed by Chef Roberto Hernandez Sevillano.
He's previously from the Esmirada Group's Tapas Bar.
If you prefer, you can dine at the Omasake-style Tapas Bar too.
>> The Retail Gallery
Other than eating, people in Singapore love to shop.
They have added a retail gallery to make some of our better halves happy.
It sells lots of quirky things that even I was tempted to buy.
I heard all of it has been selected by Dick Lee himself.
While dining, I thought the music sounds familiar and some of it seems to be from Dick Lee's musicals. I asked them who selects the songs and was told Dick Lee has selected the songs for all 365 days to be played here!
Oh snowy from Tin Tin Comics is available for sale here too!
>> The Wine Cellar
There's also the cellar and wine tasting room here by Top Wines.
It's quite an interesting concept here. First in Singapore to combine a 5-in-1.
Thanks to the PR folks of MAD for the invite.
MAD (Modern Asian Diner)
200 Turf Club Road
#01-20/21, The Grandstand
Singapore 287994
Tel: +65 64663303
Hours: Sun to Thu – 10.00am to 10.30pm / Fri to Sat – 9.00am to 12 midnight
Website: http://www.modernasiandiner.com
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