Monday 9 December 2019

The Gong – Great Food with Perfect Refreshment [MEDIA INVITE]

Assorted Mushrooms Pizza @ The Gong

The Gong by Drinks & Co (‘The Gong’) is a new establishment in the swanky Duo Galleria at Beach Road. The Gong philosophy is to turn good produce into great food at an affordable price. Plus, a meal at any Drinks & Co restaurant is not complete without a perfect refreshment, selected from the huge range of bottled drinks, a classic cocktail or one perfectly selected by the service specialist.

The Gong by Drinks & Co

We started our tasting with Gong Salt and Pepper Squid ($17).  Salt and pepper squid is one of the most common entrées in a modern Australian restaurant. The version here is spiced up with garlic, red chilli, black peppercorn, sugar & spring onion. Giving it the WOW factor when you bit into the crispy and springy squid.

Gong Salt and Pepper Squid

Crispy Chicken Karage ($18). Who can say NO to Japanese style crispy fried chicken? Well marinated with soy sauce and deep-fried till crispy. Instead of the usual mayonnaise, The Gong version is served with a super spicy dip.

Crispy Chicken Karage 

Florets of Cauliflower ($14). A delicious entrée. You can expect a crispy texture on the exterior of cauliflower followed with a moist and juicy interior. The pesto sauce coated this dish add a refreshing and complex flavour to the dish together with the red radish. Meanwhile, the bursting sweetness of the grape added a touch of sweetness to the overall dish.

Florets of Cauliflower 
Florets of Cauliflower 

For the pizza, we tried Zul’s Satay Pizza ($24) & Assorted Mushrooms ($26). The satay pizza has a light and crisp base topped with chicken & beef, peanut sauce, cucumber & onion. Although we can taste the flavour of the satay in the pizza, we find the toppings a bit dry. The mix between the cheese and satay sauce just dampen the flavour of each ingredient. I feel they should be bolder and add a few dollops of satay sauce on top of the pizza after they took it out from the oven or before serving.

Zul’s Satay Pizza 

Zul’s Satay Pizza 

On the other hand, we enjoy the assorted mushroom pizza tremendously. Each slice of the pizza is moist and packs with mushroom flavour. A dollop of truffle cream on top of each slice of pizza just lubricates it perfectly.

Assorted Mushrooms Pizza

Assorted Mushrooms Pizza

Crab Meat Fried Rice, Tobiko ($14). This reminds me of the crab fried rice in Thailand. The fried rice exudes “Wok Hei”, while each grain of rice is al-dente and evenly interwind with the fried eggs. The fresh crab meat added the natural sweetness in this fried rice, while the tobiko gave this dish the popping and crunchy texture to it.

Crab Meat Fried Rice, Tobiko 

Hokkien Mee ($14). Excellent rendition of our local favourites. The Gong uses premium ingredients and we can taste the sweetness of pork and prawn broth infused in the noodle. The fresh and huge tiger prawns together with fresh squid highlighted the “atas” version of this local dish. Not forgetting the spicy homemade sambal will add some kick in this dish. It will be perfect if they drizzle some crispy pork lard on top

Hokkien Mee

Meat Platter ($40/$56) – New Zealand Lamb Rack, Grilled Australian Beef, Pork Sausage, Chicken & Beef Satay, Served with Mixed Olives, Mixed Mesclun Salad, Grain Mustard & Mint Yoghurt Sauce.

Meat Platter

Meat Platter

The serving looks generous and the New Zealand Lamb Rack will make you go gaga with its tenderness and without any of the gamy flavour. If this is the first time you are trying lamb, the taste will linger in your memories for a long time. The chicken and beef satay are sweet and well-seasoned.

New Zealand Lamb Rack and Satays

The beef is fatty and tender; however, it is missing the signature charred of the grilled meat. The pork sausages are much better compare to the beef. The fillings are solid, while the spicy chorizo provide some sparks when you bit into it.

The Steak and Pork Sausages

Iberico Pork ($24) is just awesome. Tender, juicy and with almost melts in your mouth texture is just a treat for meat lovers like me. It is placed on eggplant puree that is infused with chilli. I normally don’t like eggplant, but the puree version here works for me. On the side is roasted mini potatoes, sliced apples, pickled vegetables and pork jus, make this dish a complete one. A must-order dish here.

Iberico Pork

For desserts, we have Tiramisu ($13) and Chocolate Lava Cake ($13). The tiramisu is just superb. Served cold, it is soft, creamy, yet super light and bursting with coffee flavours. Better keep some space for this desert.

Tiramisu

Meanwhile, the chocolate lava cake has a fudgy texture and you don’t get the oozing effect from the chocolate lava. The chocolate content is solid, while the vanilla ice cream, fresh berries and berry puree provide the fruity twang to balance the chocolate lava cake.

Chocolate Lava Cake 

Located in the swanky Duo Galleria, the catchy name of the restaurant is needed to stand above the rest. The décor is casual and comfortable. Love the black and white tiles on the indoor dining area. The outdoor seating area are furnished with high table and high chairs, pub like seating version. The Gong does not have a wine list, so you have to choose the wine shelves. Little Devil enjoys the fruity house pour Chardonnay with her meal.

The Bar and Indoor Seating Area
 
Outdoor Seating Area

If you spend $250 per receipt and get Gong Membership for a lifetime. With Gong membership, you entitle to Gong Member’s Price on Food Menu.

Wine Selections

Chardonnay with Entree

Overall, it was a pleasure dining at The Gong. The food here is delicious, a combination of Western Cuisine and Local flavours. Our recommendations are Florets of Cauliflower, Assorted Mushroom Pizza, Crab Meat Fried Rice, Iberico Pork and Tiramisu. Put The Gong by Drinks & Co on your must-visit list if you are near Beach Road / Bugis area.

Thank you very much Kristine, Amanda and The Gong by Drinks & Co team for hosting us.

Food & Drink: 8/10
Value: 7.5/10
Service: N/A (Tasting Invitation)
Ambiance: 7.5/10
Budget per Person: $26 - $50,

The Gong by Drinks & Co
7 Fraser Street
#01-59 & 60, Duo Galleria
Singapore 189356

T: +65 9619 4568
IG: @Thegongbydrinksandco
OH: Daily 11.00 - Midnight
Menu Available Online


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