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Spanish cuisine, while not as overwhelmingly popular as Italian or Japanese food in Singapore, still has its own dedicated group of diehard fans who'll never turn down a tapas dinner or a pan of paella. Recognising that the demand isn't going anywhere, two F&B industry veterans have decided to set out on their own to offer their interpretation of the cuisine to adventurous diners. Head Chef Yu Wang Leung and hospitality maverick Azad Sharma met during their stints at Olivia and Noa Lounge by Olivia, and now, they're doing their own thing with Amor.
The restaurant joins the company of other buzzy outlets on Amoy Street, including another Spanish bistro along the same stretch – Kulto. But while Kulto retains its classic, rustic charm, Amor positions itself as a more charismatic, vibrant spot, ideal for date nights and lively gatherings. It also happens to offer a wallet-friendly $38 lunch set that includes four tapas, a main and a dessert. Spot the colourful mosaic sliding door outside before heading in. You're first greeted by a trencadís mosaic bar at the entrance, before the decor gives way to bold backsplashes inspired by Catalan design and the works of iconic artist-architect Antoni Gaudí.
Expect traditional Spanish dishes to be given a creative twist and dressed up several notches. We like how the juicy barbecued oysters ($10 each) glide smoothly, with a deeply savoury escabeche sauce masking their usual brininess – a very different but surprisingly pleasant take on oysters. The jamón Ibérico croquettes ($14) are equally excellent, encased in a crispy potato crust and crowned with a glistening sheet of cured ham. Delightfully creamy and rich, it's among the better croquettes we've had in recent history.
When the crew brings out the long-stemmed glasses to our table, our first thought is that dessert must have arrived a few courses too early. Little did we know, the parfait-like dish is one of the signatures at Amor, called Happy Eggggg ($18). Pumpkin purée, truffle sabayon, a 65°C onsen egg, crispy jamon chips and brown butter sourdough croutons come together in a tantalising medley that we polish off far too quickly.
And is it really a Spanish restaurant if gambas isn't on the menu? Amor's version features four plump, sashimi-grade jumbo prawns, heads oozing with juice, cooked until they're about 80 percent done. They rest atop a bed of smoked potato foam, soaking up the remaining fragrant garlic-infused olive oil. Our only gripe? Crispy slices of bread would do wonders for sopping up all that leftover sauce, which is otherwise too robust to enjoy on its own.
For mains, dig into the wagyu short ribs ($34), beautifully plated and exceptionally tender, with the faint aroma of the charcoal grill lingering on the palate with each bite. To offset the fattiness, the short ribs are paired with a refreshing salsa-like dressing laced with spice, pickled red cabbage for acidity, and a buttery artichoke sauce to tie it all together.
The lobster arroz meloso ($76) is a showstopper for a reason, featuring a whole barbecued lobster over a bed of seafood-enriched rice. While the lobster is undeniably fresh and cooked till it's equally tender and plump, the rice arrives at our table slightly overdone, with the grains not separating as we'd hoped. A $76 dish demands perfection, and this falls short by a mark. Desserts, at least, are commendable, with the hazelnut almond lava cake ($18) pairing well with coconut ice cream, and the bombas ($10) – a delightful orange and white chocolate confection – resetting the palate nicely.
Our overall rating of Amor: 4/5
Amor is open from Monday to Saturday, noon to 3pm and 6pm to midnight at 107 Amoy St, Singapore 069927.
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