Ash and Elm is the newest dining concept to open at the Intercontinental Singapore. Taking over what was once Olive Tree, the new restaurant is a stylish venue that easily transitions itself from hearty breakfast buffets to sumptuous multi-course meals for lunch and dinner. Entering the restaurant for the first time, I immediately knew I was in for a treat when I saw that Ash and Elm has its own charcuterie room. I was also pleasantly surprised when the restaurant staff invited me over to inspect the kitchen which was deliberately built for diners to come in and inspect.
I started off with the Ash and Elm Platter ($24++ for small), a symphony of cold cuts served straight from the charcuterie section that’s clearly visible from the entrance. The platter comprised of house-cured beef pastrami, smoked pork loin, air dried pork belly, cold roasted beef and foie gras with smoked duck. There were so many types of meat here that it’s best shared by 2 to 3 people for the small portion. That being said, the star was undoubtedly the buttery foie gras which alternated with the smoked duck. As much as I adored the duck meat, I love putting foie gras as a spread on bread which I did during starters.
The Pumpkin and Potato Flat Bread ($18++) came next. Looking at it for the first time, one would be tempted to dismiss it as another form of pizza. But my first bite revealed something different altogether, with the savoury pumpkin base providing a slightly sweet flavor to the dough and the pumpkin seeds providing a slight crunch. Bacon bits served to balance out the taste, providing a salty counterpoint to the pumpkin.
I am partial to Iberico Pork Chop so when I saw this in Ash and Elm’s menu, I knew I had to try it. The Slow-grilled Spanish Iberico Pork Chop ($39++) is my personal top pick. Although it came with mushroom sauce, I thought it was wonderful enough on its own. The meat was tender to the point that it made me question whether pork could really reach such a level of softness. Another meat dish I tried was the French Free Range Yellow Chicken Supreme ($29++). This particular dish brought back a lot of memories due to its rosemary-laden flavors, similar to how I used to cook chicken when I was a student in the United States. Not that I consider myself qualified to be a restaurant chef in any way.
For desserts, I chose to have the Yuzu Citrus Combination ($14++) which was a combo of everything sour – lemon sable breton, yuzu curd, yuzu sorbet and slices of mandarin and blood oranges. This was a refreshing end to the meal, especially as it was turning to be a rather hot afternoon. This is also one of the lightest dessert options in Ash and Elm’s menu.
If you prefer something for sharing, the Chocolate Hazelnut Pizza ($24++) is a possible option. While I prefer my desserts relatively lighter, this chocolate brioche which consisted of three types of chocolates was touted as the most popular dessert in the house. Due to its richness, I suggest combining the “pizza” with the white chocolate ice cream included in a jar for a more balanced chocolate experience.
Overall, I enjoyed my time at Ash and Elm. Not only was the ambiance wonderful, the food was also nicely presented. Most importantly, the food’s also excellent and well-priced.
Ash & Elm
InterContinental Singapore
Level 1
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Reservations: +65 6825 1008
Kevin says
I stayed at the IC Singapore at the end of last year – Ash and Elm had just opened. While I was out experiencing some other Singapore eateries for dinner, the breakfast buffet at A&E was fantastic! 🙂
Now I’m getting the urge to come back to Singapore again!
Bino says
Hi Kevin, Yes I liked the open kitchen concept they have for breakfast. You should try Ash and Elm for lunch or dinner too!