On the 9th of December 2015, we invited our friends from the press and media for a tasting session at Kilo Lounge, giving them a taste of not only the gourmet bar bites and creative cocktails on the menu, but also a look at what the lounge was up to of late.
The evening started as the sun was setting over the picturesque Kallang Bay, bathing the lounge in golden sunlight. Our guests started streaming in, and we kicked things off with a round of drinks as old friends caught up with each other, and new friendships were made. They sampled a range of Kilo Lounge’s signature cocktails, including the Orale Wey, made with Two Fingers tequila, chipotle, tamarind, agave nectar, limes, and lime zest; A Sure Thing, with homemade vanilla infused vodka, cucumbers, mint, and lime; and East Meets West, with Yamakazi Whiskey, Orgeat, Lophroaig, coconut, bitters, and lemon. The refreshing A Sure Thing was the crowd pleaser of the night, while the spicy Orale Wey whetted appetites for what was to come.
We finally sat everyone down for a casual meal, gathering in small groups on the comfy lounge chairs and sofas. First came the small snacks so start things off: Roasted Edamame with Togarashi sea salt; Furikake Popcorn with jalapeño honey; and a Chartucerie Plank with assorted meats, ricotta cream, basil oil, and pickled achar. The dishes set the tone for the night as everyone abandoned any preconceived ideas of etiquette and used their hands to tuck in. It was the way the food is meant to be eaten, unpretentious and enjoyed in good company.
Then came some of Kilo’s signature dishes — the Wasabi Tuna Tartare with wanton chips; Truffled Tai Yuzu Roll with crabmeat and tempura snapper; and Salmon Sushi with crispy chicken skin, cream cheese, and spicy mayo. You can’t go wrong with fresh sashimi, and the dishes were quickly devoured by our guests; no surprise, then, that the tuna tartare and yuzu roll emerged as the favourites of the night.
Finally came the hearty, sinful eats — Beef Empanadas with chimichurri dipping sauce; Fried Chicken Sliders with pickled jalapeños and jalapeño-infused honey; and for the vegetarians, Portobello Sliders with mozzarella, arugula, and truffle mayo. As the drinks and conversations continued to flow, it was a satisfying finish to the night, and a true Kilo sharing experience, with everyone digging in and not being afraid to get messy.
Some of our guests stayed on after dinner, joining us for a Kilo Dialogues session at the lounge, this time featuring the Society of Paranormal Investigators. With the ceasing of nightlife operations at the lounge, this tasting session felt like a transition from the old to the new: bringing friends together for one last celebration, and giving them a look into what’s to come at the lounge while reminding them of the Kilo spirit that will endure even in a different space. A big thank you to everyone who joined us that evening; we hope you enjoyed yourselves, and that you experienced what we meant when we said that Kilo Lounge is, and will always be, the ultimate living room.
For more images from the evening, visit here.