Codigo 1530 Tequila Pairing Dinner at Audace Bar And Restaurant – Little India, Singapore

El Tequila Pivado or private Tequila – a nameless Tequila, named Codigo is made for centuries by a little artisan family distillery in Amatitan, Mexico, previously enjoyed by a select group of families – can now be had in Singapore, Japan and Hongkong after its soft launch in the US in 2016.

 

Codigo 1530, a clear winner at the 2016 SIP, is a premium Tequila ranging from Blanco, Rosa, Reposado, Anejo and Origen depending on the age and aging process of the tequila. Its Anejo also distinguished itself as “Anejo of the Year” at the 2016 New York International Wine & Spirits Competition.

 

Cordigo 1530 Tequila Pairing Dinner at Audace Bar And Restaurant – Cordigo

 

I went to Audace Bar & Restaurant on level 1 of the Wanderlust Hotel on a wet evening. The coziness of the stylist interior with an old-world charm was like a balm to dispel the cold and damp of the rain falling intermittently throughout the day.

 

The epicurean journey was kick started with the exotic, mildly sweet and spicy Amuse Bouche (Chestnut Soup and Chai Oil) nicely matched with the light and refreshing Rosa 75 with its natural rosy hue and floral notes.. It was indicative of what Michelin-starred Chef Jeremy Gillon, 36, had in mind when he created the 5-course dinner menu featuring exclusive and unique herbs from the French Alps for a Tequila-pairing extravaganza.

 

Cordigo 1530 Tequila Pairing Dinner at Audace Bar And Restaurant – Rosa 75

 

Cordigo 1530 Tequila Pairing Dinner at Audace Bar And Restaurant – Amouse Bouche

 

I had the 2 appetisers – Egg, Sea Urchin, Radish and Acchillee and Scallops Celeriac/Cassia – paired with a 15ml Blanco shot and La Paloma Cocktail. The Blanco had a pure clean taste which complemented the seafood and egg. The tequila helped to clean the palate for the small morsels of seafood and the lightly salted egg yolk. The La Polma Cocktail was not overly sweet, refreshingly tart and a little bitter to match the simple appetisers with varied flavours.

 

Cordigo 1530 Tequila Pairing Dinner at Audace Bar And Restaurant – Rosa 75, Basil Rosa Sour, La Paloma

 

Cordigo 1530 Tequila Pairing Dinner at Audace Bar And Restaurant – Egg, Sea Urchin, Radish and Acchillee
Egg, Sea Urchin, Radish and Acchillee

 

The main courses that followed were as finely presented as the appetisers and were eagerly awaited. I was served a Rosa Shot and Basil Rosa Sour Cocktail to go with the Turbot, Sweet Potato, Dried Oyster and Ortie. The Rosa Tequila, the first natural pink Tequila in the world and has been heralded the new Rose, will appeal for its pretty pink and clean taste. It went well with the mild tasting Turbot which had a firm, juicy and lightly salted flavour. I understand the flatfish to be usually boneless but had to pick out 2-3 small bits of bones while savouring it. The Basil Rosa Sour Cocktail as the name suggests complement the delicate and moist fish meat with its herby and citrusy balance.

 

Cordigo 1530 Tequila Pairing Dinner at Audace Bar And Restaurant – Turbot, Sweet Potato, Dried Oyster and Ortie

 

Cordigo 1530 Tequila Pairing Dinner at Audace Bar And Restaurant – Rosa 75

 

Hailed from Normandy and has been cooking since he was 14, Chef Gillon has an amiable and smiley disposition. His gastronomic creation begins by first combining the different flavours of vegetables and herbs before deciding on the type of meat to tempt the taste buds.  His next dish of Lamb, Hay Grass, Rutabaga and Anchovy was a veritable example of his passion and culinary skills.

 

As a non-lamb eater, I was suitably impressed with the mild, tender and clean tasting lamb which was browned nicely outside with slight pink within for a good bite and texture. The Bee Sting Cocktail incorporating the Reposado had a hint of vanilla and the sting from 2 chillies grown inhouse by General Manager Farhan Samad. The cocktail lent a piquancy to the meat and added a new twist to the multifarious flavours.

 

Cordigo 1530 Tequila Pairing Dinner at Audace Bar And Restaurant – Bee Sting Cocktail and Lamb
Bee Sting Cocktail and Lamb

 

The final dish to round up the dinner was dessert comprising Avocado, Vanilla, Chocolate and Kumquat paired with an Anejo shot and Anejo Old Fashioned Cocktail.

 

Cordigo 1530 Tequila Pairing Dinner at Audace Bar And Restaurant – anejo old fashioned
Anejo old fashioned

 

Cordigo 1530 Tequila Pairing Dinner at Audace Bar And Restaurant – Avocado, Vanilla, Chocolate and Kumquat
Avocado, Vanilla, Chocolate and Kumquat

 

The latter is a classic despite its namesake. The simple cocktail with the spicy and robust Anejo, orange peels and bitters was the perfect complement to the simple sweet dessert.

 

 

NAHMJ Verdict

 

Audace Bar & Restaurant is a stylist outfit priding itself on new taste experiences by Michelin Star awarded Chef Jeremy Gillon. The Tequila-pairing dinner is an extension of its pushing the epicurean boundaries. Well worth a visit for the pairing of Codigo 1530 and French cuisine with that special someone or family or friends in the intimate and cosy setting.

 

 

Codigo 1530 is multi-award winner at the 2016 SIP

  • Platinum, Best in Class Award: Anejo
  • Gold Medal: Reposado
  • Gold Medal: Extra Anejo
  • Bronze Medal: Blanco

 

 

 

Audace Bar & Restaurant

2 Dickson Road, Singapore 209494
Tel: +65 6396 3322

FB: https://www.facebook.com/AudaceSG

 

Opening hours

 

Mondays – Sundays  0730 to 1000 (Breakfast)T  |  Tuesdays to Saturdays  1130 to 1400 (Lunch), 1400 to 1800 (Afternoon Tea), 1830 – 2359 (Dinner) [last order at 2200 – Bar opens till midnight)]  |  Sundays  1130 – 1600 (Brunch)

 

Getting There

 

By Car

Free Valet Service

  • Weekdays: Dinner Service,
  • Weekend: Lunch, Dinner and Brunch Service

 

By MRT

 

  • Downtown line 2 – Jalan Besar (nearest) or Rochor station
  • Northeast line – Little India station
  • East-West or Downtown line line – Bugis station

 

By Bus

 

  • The Verge along Sungei Road   48, 56, 57, 131, 166, 170, 851, 960, 980
  • After Sim Lim Square along Rochor Canal Road   23, 48, 57, 66, 67, 170, 851, 960, 980
  • Before Sim Lim Tower along Jalan Besar Road   64, 65, 130, 139, 147, 857
  • Tekka Centre along Serangoon Road   23, 64, 65, 66, 67, 131, 139, 147, 857

 

Rating: 8.5/10