The buzz: Asia Square has seen lots of new openings recently (63Celsius, 180 Rotisserie) but this seafood joint certainly brings something different to the table.
The vibe: The 108-seater is a lot more swish than your usual seafood chain outlet, with plush seats and a red and Champagne-gold color scheme. Two private dining rooms (to seat 12-13 people), classy Chinese instrumental music and super attentive wait staff add to the sophistication.
The food: Seafood classics like fish maw and crab meat soup ($68), curry jumbo prawns ($18) and chilli crab ($6 per 100g) pepper the menu. If you’re not willing to get your hands dirty for crab, ask for the chilli crab sampler ($8), featuring crab meat in a bowl of savory-sweet gravy, paired with a single fried man tou—good for one. One of TAO’s signatures is the pot roasted cod ($38), a well-executed creation that’s smooth and buttery with a hint of sweetness. Meat options such as the pot roasted chicken caramelized in rice wine ($20) are also available, and so are desserts like double boiled bird’s nest ($48) and snow fungus with red dates and gingko nuts ($8).
The drinks: It’s a traditional Chinese eating spot after all, so don’t expect beer or wine. Instead, you’ll find daily made brews, like water chestnut with bamboo cane and lemongrass with rock sugar ($5 each), as well as a selection of Chinese teas ($2 each), including pu’er and jasmine.
Why you’ll be back: You’ll be hard-pressed to find a similar upscale seafood joint in the surrounding CBD area that works for both a quiet lunch and dinner.
