Restaurant Review: Kilo Kitchen Relaunches as Kilo Singapore with Latin American Flavours on Duxton Road
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PUBLISHED December 20th, 2021 06:00 am | UPDATED January 4th, 2022 11:10 am
For many of Singapore’s merrymakers, the Kilo Collective is synonymous with good beats and great grub. And while the brand’s iconic concepts – Kilo Lounge and Camp Kilo – may have been shuttered, it’s clear that Kilo still holds a special place in many hearts. The proof of the pudding: when we arrived at the newly relaunched Kilo Singapore on a weekday evening, the place was nearly at full house.
Previously known as Kilo Kitchen, Kilo Singapore reopens in the same spot on Duxton Road – just in time for the collective’s big 1-0 this year. The culinary spotlight stays focused on Latin American fare, and little has changed of the breezy interior: hand-sanded concrete walls, a palette of rustic stone and wood, and an exposed ceiling strung with fairy lights. By the entrance, a small retail area shows off their solid collection of natural wines.
Reimagined by co-founder Joshua Adjodha and CA Concept’s Jose Alonso (also chef-owner of Spanish restaurant Kulto), the menu is dubbed a cultural trek through Latin America. A quick skim, though, reveals an eclectic mix of French, Italian, and Spanish influences stirred in. Carnivores can look forward to bigger and bolder meats, thanks to a new toy in the kitchen: a dry-age machine, acquired as the team’s birthday gift to themselves. Surf lovers aren’t left out either, with a frozen seafood display where you can pick the seafood you want on your plate.
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For starters, we get a slurp of their Japanese Oysters (S$18++) – a half-dozen platter of oysters from Sakoshi Bay in Hyogo Prefecture. Plump and creamy, each gem packs strong briny flavours and a hint of bitterness. To chase them down, you can opt for two shooters of Bloody Mary (S$5), but we found this a little too thick – almost ketchup-like – for our tastes. A better chaser can be found in the Kilo Ceviche (S$22), a juicy toss-up of fresh tuna loin, seabass, and red prawn, along with cured tomatoes and Spanish purple onions.
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We aren’t typically fans of steak tartare, but even we have to admit that the Classic Steak Tartare on Confit Potato (S$22) is superbly done. Made from well-marbled Australian wagyu cube roll, the tartare packs a spicy bite thanks to a dressing of Dijon mustard, wholegrain mustard, and tabasco. It comes heaped atop slabs of crisp, deep-fried confit potato that offer just the right textural contrast. Less impressive, however, are the small and rather rubbery White Clams in White Wine & Garlic (S$22) – though the broth is tasty enough to mop up with hunks of toast.
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Regulars at Kilo Kitchen will be glad to see the Signature Kilo Squid Ink Rice with Crispy Calamari (S$26) back on the menu. This indulgent dish is a crowd-favourite for good reason – think rice marinated overnight with soy sauce and fish sauce, stir-fried with onion-infused squid ink sauce, then served with an onsen egg and aioli sauce. Mix them all together and you’ll get a silky, garlicky flavour bomb that reminds us of a less smoky paella.
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The menu goes big on prime cuts of steak, each simply seasoned and given a sear in their charcoal-fired grill. Our USDA Prime Rib Eye (S$68) arrives beautifully marbled and fork-tender, alongside some seriously massive potato wedges and chimichurri sauce. To pair, we’re recommended a glass of Château Combel-la-Serre Cahors 2017 (S$16/glass, S$75/bottle) – this easy-drinking Malbec stands up to the steak nicely, with its blackberry notes and a touch of acidity.
Speaking of tipples, you’ll find a range of cocktail classics to whet your thirst too. For a fruity, low-ABV refresher, the Rhubarb Gin Fizz (S$16) fits the bill with Bombay Sapphire Gin, Aperol, and soda. Meanwhile, the Kilo’s Negroni (S$16) is a floral blend of Hendrick’s Gin, Aperol, and fino sherry that sounds potent but turns out less spirit-forward than we’d like.
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On the whole, it’s an eclectic menu with hits and misses – but if there’s one spot you can count on for buzzy vibes and warm hospitality, Kilo is it. For a sweet ending, we opt for the Citrus Limon Tart with Cloud Meringue (S$14), sweetened with a sugary crust and fluffy meringue.
Kilo Singapore is located at 97 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089541, p. +65 9625 0279. Open Tues-Fri 12pm–2.30pm & 4.30pm–10.30pm, Sat 11.30am–10.30pm, Sun 11.30am–5pm. Closed Mon.