Review: Bochinche Singapore, Spa Esprit Group

Chef Diego Jacquet serves up startlingly scrumptious, polished Argentinian small plates with some meticulously balanced pairings at Bochinche that may be pricey, but worth every penny.

Nestled just above new hipster coffee joint Common Man Coffee Roasters, sister Bochinche (opened 9 Aug) beckons those not already in the know with a simple sign that leads to a sleek 100-seater restaurant. There is a certain charm in watching chefs cook—the sights and sounds somewhat like foreplay to the actual meal—and their well-trained staff are fully aware of that as they led us to the bar seats right in front of the open kitchen, missing nary a beat in their introduction of the menu.

The Queso de chancho ($15, paired with smooth, saccharine 72-hour quince jam) is frightfully pricey at $5 per bite-sized ‘Bergedil’—we’d thought it was an amuse bouche when it first landed on the table—but each crisp, golden croquette stuffed with meat tediously handpicked from braised pig heads is so intensely robust that it’d almost had us immediately sending an order for another serving.

Putting a spin on an Argentinian classic, Chef Jacquet’s brilliant Provoleta ($16)—topped with honey, oregano and almonds—is to be paired with their House baked breads ($7) and salted butter for a delightfully toothsome blend of sweet and savoury.

Delicious and worth repeat visits are the deftly executed, smokey Gambas al ajo ($29)—paired with full-flavoured chorizo bits, Chicharon (deep fried pig skin), and indulgent caramelized pork belly—and the plump-with-promise Veal sweetbreads ($27) that’s contrasted with an intriguing bitter-sour lemon puree for depth.

Those who must have their meat should go for the Grilled rib eye ($55, 300-grams) with deliciously charred accents, served with celeriac and bone marrow, or the hearty Beef chimichurri burger ($28) that packs provolone cheese, grilled tomatoes, sweet caramelized onions, aioli, and some chilli spices for an oddly satisfying touch of heat.

Soaked overnight in chilled water, simmered, poached, then fried and tossed with a gusting of spices, parsley and garlic, the award-winning chunky Provenzal ($12) is earthy and addictively pungent, and provides a much-welcomed contrast to pedestrian house chips found elsewhere.

It may not seem like it at first, but Bochinche’s small plates will fill you up, and I highly recommend saving room for desserts. The comfortingly homely Milk cake ($15), made using a secret recipe of 3 different types of milk, thoughtfully teamed with a tangy passionfruit sorbet to cut through the creaminess is a must-order, as is the silky Dulce de leche crème brulee ($17) with a most lovely housemade banana split ice cream that isn’t sweet. Bochinche Singapore 22 Martin Road, #02-01 Singapore 239058

Tel: +65 62354990 | Website

Operating hours: Tue - Thu: 5:30 pm - 12:00 am Fri - Sat: 5:30 pm - 2:00 am Sun: 5:30 pm - 12:00 am