Open Farm Community New Locally Inspired Menu was recently introduced, I was pretty excited to try them out as I was impress at my first visit in Jul 2015, not long after they opened.
Structurally, and layout of the area were unchanged. It was more of the aesthetic that was added to beautify the area.
Open Farm Community New Locally Inspired Menu
The ingredients used in the dishes for the Open Farm Community New Locally Inspired Menu has almost 90% locally sourced ingredients. And many of the produce from the Edible Gardens were added to the dishes and drinks as well.
Starters
Garden pea soup with garden knife beans, jamon, sugar snap peas, pita bread ($22) make a great start for the meal. Personally, I dislike pea but I find this soup pleasing. The flavour was light and with the ham, it provide a more savoury hint then sweetish flavour.
Don’t mistaken the Crispy Jurong frog legs, root vegetables & lemak inspired curry, garden curry leaves ($26) for soup. The appearance was suggestive though. But it is a curry dish. It isn’t spicy instead with an overwhelming coconut flavour. I felt it might taste better with a tone down coconut taste. And for the deep-fried frog leg, easily deceived as fried chicken.
Roasted king prawns, garden herb gremolata, compressed spring onion ($28) may sound common. It is the dressing on the prawn that make a difference. The zesty green sauce together with the smokiness provided a contrast that yet complement perfectly. This was one of my favourite starter of the night.
Steak tartare marinated with ginger chili, spring onion & coriander puree, garlic crouton, organic egg yolk ($26) was my other favourite starter.
Pasta
Moving to the Mains, we started with Pasta, the Garden holy basil gnocchi, pickled okra, lemon grass dressing ($26). The gnocchi was a little softer than most and it isn’t the chewy kind, in case you prefer such texture. Nonetheless, it was flavourful, filled with basil and lemon grass scent. The sauce is considerably creamy as such it was cloying.
Mains
If you are a fish lovers, here are 2 dishes that you could choose from. First is the Roasted red snapper, calamansi & sesame cucumber salad, garden roselle & hibiscus ketchup pickled cucumber ($32). Initially, I was skeptical about the hibiscus ketchup sauce with the snapper. To my surprise, it paired well. A pity, the fish was a slightly over-cooked and dry. With the pickled cucumber, the sourish flavour whetted the appetite.
Next is the Red grouper burger, chucky tar tar sauce, pickled cucumber, local green salad ($30). In short, the taste reminded me of MacDonald’s Fillet-O-Fish. Not a bad thing though as it is my kind of comfort food.
BBQ half chicken, sweet corn ragout, potato fondant, mustard frill salad ($36) is the most tasty Main of the night. As it has BBQ sauce, as such expect strong and rich flavour. Chicken remained succulent.
Vegetables/Sides
In the Open Farm Community New Locally Inspired Menu, there are various vegetables and sides dishes offered too. One of which we tried was the Local snake bean, abalone mushroom, fermented sugar cane dressing ($17).
Dessert
Finally, dessert time. 5 desserts were offered on the menu. Out of which, we tried only 1, Pandan & banana custard, ginger biscuit, lemon grass sago, sugar cane sorbet ($18). Though I like all the ingredients in this dish, I am not a fan of this dessert. Somehow, I didn’t like the combination.
The other interesting dish which I am keen to try on my next trip is the Spiced pumpkin cake, butternut ice cream, gula Melaka jelly, garden herbs ($18).
Garden Grown Cocktail
Extending the local theme, the Open Farm Community New Locally Inspired Menu consists of the Garden Grown Cocktail too.
There are a total of 8 cocktail creation. I tried the Green Seed ($18).
NAHMJ Verdict
The dishes in the Open Farm Community New Locally Inspired Menu has a spin of local flavours, in particular the ingredients used. Perhaps, it might require a little more tweaking to perfect the balance.
Open Farm Community
130E Minden Road Singapore 248819
Tel: +65 6471 0306
Website: http://www.openfarmcommunity.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/openfarmcommunity
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday 1200 to 1500, 1800 to 2200; Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 1100 to 2200
Getting There
By Bus:
- alight at or opp Bontanic Gardens along Napier Road 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123, 174
Rating: 7.5/10
*Disclaimer: This was a media invite.