Fine-dining restaurant Bam! has been serving discerning diners for a full decade at the busy Tras Street enclave, offering a unique Spanish-Japanese “modern shudo” concept of enjoying tapas with sake (the latter both in food and as the famed beverage).
The restaurant now celebrates its 10th anniversary with the launch of a new modern European dining concept and two specially curated degustation menus, showcasing top quality local produce and the finest seasonal ingredients (sourced not only from Europe but also from the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia and New Zealand). Diners can still expect the same minimalist but classy interiors, kitchen counter seats to watch the chefs in action, as well as quieter dining by the bar area.
Helming the kitchen now is head chef Shang Jhi, who’s interest in modern European cuisine is no doubt a result of him having honed his skills under world famous chefs such as Joel Robuchon, Julien Royer and Sebastian Lepinoy.
Bam!’s new six-course Tasting Menu ($178++) and the seven-course Experience Menu ($228++), both have the option to add on a sake or wine pairing ($78 for Sake Pairing/$88 for Wine Pairing for the Tasting Menu), and ($88 for Sake Pairing/$98 for Wine Pairing for the Experience menu).
Chef Shang Jhi’s techniques are largely rooted in European (especially French) cuisine but his Asian heritage has also shaped his approach towards his dishes, resulting in a seamless balance of flavours and textures. For example, his Korean Abalone XO creation is inspired by his personal love for XO fried rice, resulting in Korean abalone paired with Koshihikari rice and an XO sauce made with premium ingredients including Iberico pork, shirashu (Japanese anchovies), Japanese dried scallops and brandy.
The Tasting Menu comprises the likes of Mimosa with N25 caviar; Hand-Dived Scallop served in shell with cauliflower puree, candied walnuts, couscous and a yellow wine sauce; as well as Quail stuffed with foie gras, featuring crispy quail egg with potato puree and black truffle, among others.
For a more luxe dining experience, the aptly named Experience menu features the classic Alba White Truffle with Japanese scrambled eggs, and served with buttered brioche on the side. This dish is the perfect example of how just a few top quality seasonal ingredients is all a good chef needs to make a winning dish.
Other crowd favourites include the popular Cold Angel Hair Pasta with caviar, tobiko and nori – a Bam! Signature – as well as Spanish Seabass with leek compote and verjus, to name just a few of the courses.
Main course on the Experience Menu is a choice of two premium proteins. Choose between New Zealand Lamb Rack, featuring Lumina Lamb that is often heralded as ”wagyu lamb” due to its similar texture to wagyu beef.
The lamb rack is accompanied by a Japanese eggplant sandwich of eggplant tempura and house-made eggplant caviar with a hint of curry powder, and finished with garlic shoots and tsukudani. Alternatively, opt for the fork-tender Miyazaki A4 Sirloin Beef (surcharge of $20 applies), served with grilled green asparagus, baby pumpkin puree and myoga.
End on the whimsical but beautiful Chestnut Mushroom, comprising chestnut mousse, meringue and raspberry compote.
Bam! is at 38 Tras Street, Singapore 078977.
