Descend into CHIJMES’s freshly-madeover basement to find this sexy restaurant, a new venture by the team behind House of Dandy. Open only from evenings, Raven’s indoor dining area is sleek and luxe, with wood-and-leather booth seating and a handsome black marble bar greeting you as you stroll in. A baby grand piano covered in Monopoly Man motifs and colourful spray paint, the work of enigmatic street artist Alec Monopoly, injects a pop of playful grittiness to the space – we’re told that more urban artwork will be hoisted onto the walls soon.
American cuisine meets Asian ingredients at Raven
Opposing forces are also at play on the menu, which boasts comforting North and South American cuisine jazzed up with Asian ingredients. Elegant and approachable small plates include the sweet and tangy tuna tartare ($17) with the gentlest hint of wasabi, steamed little neck clams ($16) with garlic croutons in a robustly savoury bacon dashi stock, and refreshing burratina and herb tomatoes ($18) drizzled in gula melaka-infused balsamic dressing for subtle sweetness. The sinful fried chorizo croquettes ($13), served with a tangy jalapeño vinaigrette, were gobbled up in a flash, and the juicy, smoke-licked roasted corn nibblets ($12) dipped in spice-infused sour cream left us enamoured with the humble vegetable.
Nuanced in flavour, the crispy nori wrap salmon ($29) was a textural beauty thanks to the thin, crisp layer of panko-crusted seaweed, chewy ponzu sago balls, and zesty fennel salad. On the other end of the scale, the bacon and sweet corn risotto ($21) with luxuriously-rich and creamy manchego cheese is the perfect indulgent treat. Another hearty dish to try, the herb-crusted rack of lamb ($37) – served with lamb-fat roasted tomatoes and earthy honshimeji mushrooms – was gloriously tender.
Cocktails at Raven (from left): Agave Smash, Maple Leaf Sour, and Sole Sister
Don’t call it a night without tucking into their desserts. Matcha addicts will love the green tea opera ($13) – a green tea and chocolate truffle, a dollop of sweet red bean ice cream, and sake gel, while chocolate purists should head straight for the chocolate overdose, a platter with six different textures of Belgian chocolate – cream, sherbet, crunch, and more.
If the weather’s inviting enough, head out to their garden patio for a cheeky tipple – we recommend a Maple Leaf Sour ($17), a smooth, easily-downed blend of Maker’s Mark bourbon, maple syrup, vanilla-infused vermouth, bitters, lemon and egg white.
Raven, #B1-01/02 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996, p. 8798 2724. Open Sun-Tue 5pm-1am, Wed-Sat 5pm-2am.