Arterial

Nestled in the row of shophouses on Temple Street is Arterial. Despite it's traditional surroundings, this new addition to our cafe culture is no where near traditional. With a menu of "not so cafe" dishes and lots of communal dining recommended, we actually think this new kid on the block seems like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

Good to share is the Grilled Asparagus, grilled and topped with butter. We enjoyed the fact that the asparagus remained crunchy and wasn't overcooked, and the aroma of the butter came through sustainably. Another crowd pleaser was the Chicken Wing Fries which were fried to golden perfection and came with a housemade garlic mayonnaise dip on the side.

A really unique dish we think is worth a shot is the Pork Aspic Terrine, served cold with lots of bite, flavor and texture within. Our favourite dish of the lot however, was the Chicken Liver Pate which was absolutely divine. The liver pate had an extremely creamy texture without being overly salty and paired perfectly with the slightly toasted herbed focaccia.

For mains, the Squid Ink Aglio Olio was served al dente, with quite a generous amount of squid and prawns on top - we found it a tad too dry for our liking, but the flavours came through and the seafood was fresh.

Dessert lovers should not miss out on the Banana Coconut Parfait packed with fresh blueberries, frozen banana and lots of freshly whipped cream - a perfect ending to the meal. We also think the Mocha Cake with Coffee Glaze that was moist and dense is worth a try.

Though a new kid on the block, we definitely agree that Arterial has a lot of potential, especially since it's currently being consulted by one of Singapore's top Mod-Sin chef, Shen Tan. Will we be back for more? Most definitely.

Arterial

24 Temple Street

Singapore 058569

+65 6222 8598

www.facebook.com/arterial.sg

This was an invited media tasting.