If you have a craving for Indonesian fare, this is the ticket. Housed in Marina Bay Sands with dining options aplenty, The Moluccas Room’s rattan-backed chairs, dark wood tables, parquet flooring and batik-inspired motif pillars make for a pretty spot; just remember to ask for a table overlooking the waterfront.
Our initial impression of this fine dining yet relaxed contemporary Indonesian restaurant when it opened was that it offered good food at somewhat unreasonable prices. They’ve since dropped them a touch but, while you might be think this would affect the quality of their food or service, we’re pleased to report that isn’t the case.
Reliable bets include the Angus satè (tender and flavorsome beef skewers that go marvelously with kecap manis—thick, sweet soy sauce; $22), as well as the confit Sakura ayam tuturaga (a rich and citrusy Sakura chicken confit curry with roasted new potatoes; $27). The latter especially showcases Indonesian-born chef Alicia Tivey’s classical French cooking techniques in a beautifully balanced marriage to the flavors of her birthplace; an ideal accompaniment is some nasi kuning (yellow rice made with turmeric and coconut milk; $3). We could have done without our order of otak otak Jakarta ($12); the texture of the grilled fish cakes wasn’t a winner although the peanut sauce and four different chili sauces (all made in-house) helped some, but not the fragrant gula melaka ice cream ($8).
The appealing ambiance and delectable food, at attractive prices to boot, make it well worth a visit.
Have you tried the confit sakura ayam tuturaga at The Moluccas Room? It’s one of I-S Magazine’s 50 things to eat in Singapore before you die (2011).
