Al Solito @ Cuppage

Orchard Plaza has steadily become the go-to place for small, hole-in-the-wall outfits opened by entrepreneurial Japanese chefs over the past year. Al Solito, located on the third floor of this battered mall, is one such star boasting similar qualities – at least size-wise (it seats about a dozen at most).

Al Solito is a Japanese Italian izakaya hidden right in Orchard Plaza where there are a surprising number of little eateries serving great food. There was a serious yet easy and comfortable Japanese atmosphere in this convivial izakaya, with a friendly Japanese lead hostess, and a Malaysian chef, and a bit of a fusion menu to boot.

I divided the food into three sections

Must Order

りんごとカマンベール ベーコンのピザ Apple and Camembert Bacon Pizza would be top on my must order dish. The combination of apple and camembert cheese on super thin crust was innovative and surprising match in culinary heaven.

Grilled Hakusai (grilled Chinese cabbage) was burnt, smoky, juicy yet crunchy, with the smokiness elevated by the cheese and bacon.

Konnyaku steak and shishito peppers in spicy sauce was surprising good. The tasteless konnyaku was smothered with a nice layer of spicy sauce and grilled which made them really tasty. And paired with the blistered shishito, this was a filling and yet diet friendly dish.

ハムカツ Ham katsu is Panko-coated deep-fried thinly sliced ham. It was a popular food in the Showa era (1926-1989) in Japan. It has been more of a nostalgic food than anything else, but it’s getting more attention lately, and making a small come-back in the restaurant scene in Japan.

Uni tomato cream pasta was made with aglio e olio flavours but end up with the very Japanese tomato cream. The uni sauce stole the whole show.

OK Lah

北海道仙鳳趾 生ガキ Hokkaido oyster in ponzu soy sauce was drowning in the sauce. The oysters were quite fresh, but if they presented in on their half shell with just a dash of the sauce that would be sufficient. I guess they want you to drink some more.

明太子和風パスタ Mentaiko Japanese style pasta was dressed with truffle olive oil and topped with small serve of mentaiko, If there were more mentaiko, I would elevate this to a Must Order.

Avocado Mentaiko was nothing shout about but a simple good eat I must say. The fatty avocado with the savoury mentaiko was a really good pairing.

納豆オムレツ Natto Omelette was something I have not seen anywhere else. I wasn’t a fan of natto, so order if you are.

Chicken Teriyaki with Avocado was nice snack to drink to. Lack something…. yes, the chicken tasted quite bland not because it has not taste but the caramelisation of the sauce nor Maillard reaction have taken place.

Ikura Canape was quite innovative and ambitious, but it bordered mediocrity because there was no layering of taste.

Waste of Time

Miyazaki Beef Tataki tasted like it came straight from the supermarket charcuterie section.

Came quite cold, the gyoza was not a specialty I can see.

The clams were not fresh.

A staple of izakaya, they got it wrong. Chicken karaage was more like chicken skin, very dry and salty.

牛タン炒め Beef tongue sauté was not what I expected. The gyutan was really thin and overcooked.

I had better ones, can skip their yakitori.

大根と豆腐のサラダ Radish and tofu salad was a really simple and yet tasty snack. Julienned radish strips with a whole soft Japanese tofu with sesame sauce (most like from Kewpie) and topped with shredded nori.

There isn’t really much space for a full kitchen, but they still manage to crank out a number of simple snacks using that counter space. The atmosphere is convivial and intimate, and just the place to unwind with some sake or highballs. Be sure to call ahead for reservations.

Al Solito アルソリート
150 Orchard Road, #03-49 Orchard Plaza Singapore 238841
Tel : +65 6735 0763

Visited Jan 2024

@alsolito2017