It seems like more Michelin-starred restaurants are opening up offshoots.
Why not? These openings provide diners with the opportunity to experience higher quality, innovative cuisine in a more relaxed and accessible setting.
Additionally, I find that many of these venues often experiment with bolder, fusion flavours or focus on specific culinary aspects like small plates.
Dew by Whitegrass at the heritage-rich CHIJMES is one such example, presenting itself a new vibrant, social space.
As the more casual sibling of the Michelin-starred Whitegrass, it offers an inviting atmosphere for various gatherings, from relaxed meet-ups to late-night hangouts.
I liked the pastel clean-looking décor, inspired by the simplicity and purity of dew on grass.
At Dew, the focus is on European small plates with an Asian twist, complemented by an exceptional sake collection, including rare, non-commercial labels and boutique varieties.
Available is a wide array of small plates and lunch sets (which have quite quirky names by the way) of visually appealing mouthwatering European dishes – each with a distinctive Asian touch. Here’s more:
R’ IGA Ribeye ($58)
This dish is a celebration of IGA wagyu A4 rib eye, known for its exceptional marbling and delicate texture.
Sourced from Mie Prefecture, this particular wagyu is valued for its flavour profile, influenced by the local feeding and farming practices, making it a sought-after delicacy for beef connoisseurs.
The wagyu is lightly seared, creating a delicate char on the outside while preserving the tender, marbled interior.
I would recommend having a slice or two on its own first, to appreciate the natural flavours and texture – velvety and almost melt-in-the-mouth.
After that, give it a slight dip on the special house-made sauce that blends red wine jus and Japanese soy sauce, or with a touch of fresh wasabi for a sharp, refreshing contrast.
IGA Wagyu Don ($30)
The IGA Wagyu is also available in a donburi form, served over a bed of Japanese Koshihikari rice.
The succulent wagyu with rich marbling is complemented by a house-made sauce that ties the dish together beautifully.
All on fluffy, slightly sticky, aromatic rice for full satisfaction.
Shiok! Oji Chick Don ($22)
Another hearty bowl with Japanese Koshihikari rice as the base, this is topped with shio koji marinated chicken.
This reminded me of the Oyako Don but done in a different format. The chicken, tender and flavourful, was topped with creamy eggs.
The addition of jalapeno added a mild kick, elevating the dish that was pleasantly surprising yet not overpowering.
(You can also have this bowl as part of the Set Lunch from $28, which includes one main with an otoshi and a salad of the day.)
Yuzu Kosho Seaweed Pasta ($20)
A dish I would most recommend to have at Dew, this creamy pasta dish was rich but not over.
There was also tangy and light-spicy notes of yuzu kosho which added a vibrant touch, with the earthy undertones of seaweed.
You can choose to add either salmon or prosciutto as a topping, each enhancing the pasta’s natural sweetness.
Cheese Choux Puff ($10)
A delightful starter. It features light, airy choux pastry filled with rich, aromatic cheese.
Keep them a pop in the mouth, and let these bite-sized treats fill it with little bursts of flavour.
Pink Ocean ($22)
The duo platter showcases Dew’s flair for combining traditional techniques with twists.
The first part of this duo, Chef Smoked The Salmon (available a la carte for $18), features house-smoked salmon.
The salmon is meticulously brined for three days, served with sweet and sour pickled purple onions and a hint of aiyori sauce.
The second component, Hamachi On The Way (also available a la carte for $20) has Shimane Hamachi carefully dehydrated overnight, then thinly sliced and paired with ohba and daikon.
The yellowtail known for its delicate flavour and firm texture, has dressed in soy sauce and crowned with an appetising, savoury sauce of anchovies and black olives.
‘D’ Little Kiss Cheesecake ($12)
Moving on to the sweet endings, get the ‘D’ Little Kiss Cheesecake.
This dessert redefines the traditional cheesecake with its exceptionally smooth texture, achieved by using an ample amount of fresh cream.
The cheesecake is subtly enriched with a red wine sauce, lending it a nuanced boozy flavour that sets it apart from the usual dessert fare.
For an additional $8, patrons can pair the cheesecake with the Kagoshima organic Little Kiss Tea Liqueur.
For drinks, the Whitegrass Little Tokyo is a signature cocktail from Dew, served in a charming round glass vessel.
The exquisite concoction blends the delicate essence of sake, the zesty kick of yuzushu, and the subtle bitterness of Aperol.
For those preferring non-alcoholic options, a mocktail version of the Whitegrass Little Tokyo is available upon request, ensuring the same refreshing taste experience without the alcohol.
For sake lovers, the curated selection of approximately 65 sake labels at Dew is a journey in itself.
Sourced from various prefectures across Japan, the collection includes rare and non-commercial labels, offering an unparalleled experience in Singapore.
This impressive array of sake provides an opportunity to explore different taste profiles and pairings with the dishes, making each visit to Dew a unique and educational experience.
Dew by Whitegrass
CHIJMES #01-27A, 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10:30pm (Tues – Sat), Closed Mon, Sun
www.dewbywhitegrass.com.sg
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Dew by Whitegrass.
