Serving up East London in spoonfuls, COL is Keong Saik's latest addition. Ridding the fine-dining pomp, the vibe is cosy yet energetic. Here, chef-owner Colin Buchan encapsulates his favourite neighbourhood restaurants and bars of London – also where he earned his stripes – in an inventive menu that celebrates seasonality.
Starters – good for sharing – came as aromatic Nduja arancini with smoky muhammara dip (S$18) and hand-dived roasted scallops served with an umami-rich, oceanic seaweed butter and a dollop of sweet and tangy grapefruit marmalade (S$46). From the wood-fire grill, marbled cuts are brushed with Wagyu beef fat and masterfully incinerated over binchotan. Other highlights include hand-rolled tagliatelle with Scottish mussels and piquant chilli butter ($34), lardo-laced Iberico pork loin ($48) and the moreish saikyo miso-roasted cauliflower blessed with garlic pangrattato ($24).
From spending over a decade in the kitchens of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay to being the private chef for the Beckhams, it's not every day you come across a chef with an illustrious resume like Colin Buchan. And when you do, you know you're in for a delicious treat.
