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Before you write off all your options for an edgy, comfortable spot, serving up gourmet food to impress family and friends, check out Portico Host. It is a perfect urban escape point just 4 minutes’ walk from Labrador MRT station. Besides the chef’s splendid food creations, fall in love with the laidback charm of the restaurant. It houses a few Instagram-worthy spots, including a relaxed homely indoor environment, bar counter, a spacious alfresco dining area, greenery, a swing and an elegant white wooden horse.
Alfresco dining area in the evening.
Portico Host believes in hosting guests like how they would in their own home and hosting events that leave clients and guests a memorable experience. Their outstanding service and food offerings has won them the following accolades, Chope’s Diner’s Choice Awards New Restaurant of the Year 2014, OpenRice’s Top Ten Best New Restaurants of 2014, Wine & Dine’s Singapore’s Top Restaurant 2016 and 2017.
Here is Senior Head Chef, Chef Earn, the man behind the inventive kitchen at Portico Host. He has vast experience in managing events with large numbers and satisfying everyone’s varying taste buds, including Australian and Sweden High Commissioners. Prior to settling down at Portico Host, he worked with Tung Lok Group, Kitchen Language, Kriston Food and Beverage and Creative Eateries Group of Restaurants. Chef Earn is always looking for ways to create his dishes with new culinary techniques and livening them up with his personal flair.
Seared Chicken Breast ($20)
You can instantly tell how much thoughts and passion goes into creating a beautiful dish like this. I wasn’t expecting this level of premium food quality to be served in a modest and casual dining space. Chef Earn has expertly combined the distinct flavours of each ingredient, offering a gastronomic experience through the wonderful medley of contrasting flavours. The tender chicken meat is served alongside roasted vegetable, quail egg, confit cherry vine tomato and atop the appetizing Kumera puree, made of sweet potatoes. Bursting cherry tomatoes releases its aromatic sweet juices in the mouth while quail egg is pure indulgence and the roasted vegetables add crunch to the entire dish. Take pleasure in savouring the rich flavours in every bite.
Grilled Squid ($16)
Though I am not a big fan of squid due to its rubbery texture, this squid was so well-executed and marinated, it was irresistible. The squids are served with avocado, onion, arugula, caramelised walnut, chilli bacon and drizzled with citrus dressing. I adore the sweet and zesty dressing that wraps all the flavours together and the presence of different textures. It is rare to come across a delicacy that contains all the flavours – from sweetness and sourness of the sauce and walnuts to savoury notes from dried bacon and tinge of bitterness from the arugula. It was mind-blowingly delicious!
Duck Leg Confit ($26)
This has got to be the nicest looking duck leg confit I have had so far! Doesn’t it look like a piece of edible art in itself? It is equally impressive in flavours and in the presentation. The fragrant duck leg confit is accompanied with potato mash, purple cabbage stew, red pepper coulis and topped off with delightful port wine sauce. The duck meat is lean and moist. We seldom get red pepper and purple cabbage simmered and cooked in this manner at a typical restaurant, hence it was a refreshing change and I enjoyed it. I love the way the potato mash is done, it is starchier and rich. My only gripe is that the duck skin could be crispier, other than that it is lovely!
“Sing Chew” Spaghetti ($20)
The next dish assuages the cravings of laksa lovers. Skilfully prepared, Chef Earn infused the sautéed spaghetti with the aroma and taste of coconut-rich laksa broth, garnished with laksa leaf. Finally, he completes this East-meets-West creation with fresh seafood such as clam, mussel, prawn and squid, the result is scrumptious! The thick coconut based broth is memorably tasty and mildly spicy. Pairing it with denser spaghetti, compared to the usual light white rice flour noodle, simply elevates the mouth-feel sensation by a notch.
BBQ Pork Rib ($28)
Over at Portico Host, you can also find full-flavoured, fall-off-the bone BBQ Pork Ribs! Marinated with punchy yet non-overpowering BBQ sauce, the rib is sure to whet the appetite. I would say the serving size is rather generous and as with other dishes at Portico, the sides provides a variety of crunch and flavours to complete the taste!
Tiramisu ($13)
Our lavish treat at Portico Host comes to an end on a sweet note with this creative pot of Tiramisu and ice cream! This pretty dessert comprises of mascarpone cheese, kahlua, vanilla sponge, espresso and edible soil! That’s right, even the bed of soil is edible, they are actually made of chocolate cookie crumbs (I was so excited over it because of its abundance and sweet taste!) The vanilla sponge cake is sandwiched in light and airy mascarpone cheese and espresso. Indulge in the delicious goodness from the pot while savouring the milky and refreshing ice cream dipped in cookie crumbs! It was simply heavenly.
Overall, Portico Host is an excellent location for big group gatherings such as birthdays and company dinners. What better place is there, which offers you the flexibility to tailor its modular space to your event needs!
Limited Period Promotion!
Wait no further to bring your family and friends down for a treat!
NTU and NUS students, staff or alumni who show their matriculation/staff/alumni cards at Portico Host will enjoy 15% off total bill!
Quote “Magdalene” to enjoy a free soft drink with every purchase of a main course. – Valid till September 25th
Portico Host
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11.30am – 11.30pm Sunday, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Address: 991B Alexandra Rd, #01-10 Singapore 119970
Telephone: 6276 7337