Cherry & Oak – A Smoking Good Meal

Cherry & Oak (‘CNO’) is an Asian smokehouse, that combines the art of slow-cooking with traditional local dish Nasi Lemak Bakar. The name of the restaurant is derived from the wood logs used to smoke all the food served here. Cherry wood is known for its flavour and colour, while oak wood maintains the temperature of the smoker.

Cherry & Oak

I met up with YP for our regular catch-up. However, LD is not feeling well, so she can’t join us.

Smoked Satay Madura Chicken 

We started the meal with Smoked Satay Madura Chicken ($18), thick chicken cubes marinated with Madura spices and served with peanut sauce. The chicken cubes are succulent, well marinated and filled with a nice smoky aroma. The satay is already good on its own, however, the nutty and sweet peanut sauce, just brings it to another level. How I wish they give us more of the peanut sauce.

Smoked Satay Madura Chicken

Smoked Satay Madura Chicken

Rainbow Sausage ($16) comes with the complimentary Nasi Lemak Bakar. The sausages are original, spinach, beetroot and curry. I am usually a bit apprehensive when ordering sausages because they can be very salty. However, I am glad CNO proves me wrong.

Rainbow Sausages

These handmade chicken sausages are well smoked, juicy and bursting with flavour. The saltiness level is very subtle, allowing the flavours from the marinade to shine. I was surprised by the clean taste of the beetroot and spinach sausages. A must order here.

I can’t remember when was the last time I tried Nasi Lemak Bakar. The version at CNO is as good as it comes. The combination of coconut milk and smoky aroma just whet your appetite. The Nasi Lemak Bakar is served with fried ikan bilis and peanuts plus the sambal. It is also nice with the peanut sauce from the satay Madura.

Nasi Lemak Bakar 

Brisket 200g ($23) comes with the complimentary Nasi Lemak Bakar. The smoked brisket is the main reason why YP and I choose this place. CNO uses pure-bred Black Angus, MBS 3 -4 from Australia. The brisket is soft, juicy and delivers a melt-in-your-mouth sensation. It has a rich beefy flavour and is filled with a beautiful smoky aroma. The best part is it just goes well with the Nasi Lemak Bakar. Yummy.

Brisket

Since CNO is a Muslim-owned establishment, no alcohol is served here. Instead, you can enjoy the mocktails. At that time there was 1 for 1 promotion. I ordered Cassanova ($18) and YP ordered Paloma. Both the mocktails have complex and multi-layer of flavours. A treat to your five senses.

Cassanova

Paloma

The design of the restaurant is based on industrial concept. The cherry wood, oak wood and even the mini smoker are displayed as part of the décor. Some of the seating areas are separated using tall plants, that add nice greenery to the restaurant. The piano tunes playing in the background created a relaxing ambience and a nice environment to catch up with friends. I prefer the indoor seating, however, for those who like the outdoor, there is an al-fresco area available.

Part of The Dining Area

The service is friendly and attentive. Although we order through QR code, the service staff also check with us again to ensure the order is correct. During the meal, they also drop by a few times to ensure the food is ok and if we need anything else. Do take note that reservation is recommended and you will have to put your card as a guarantee for your reservation.

Part of The Dining Area

Overall, we had a great time dining at Cherry & Oak. The food is great and so does the service. The smoked Brisket, Nasi Lemak Bakar and Rainbow Sausages are a must-order here. We’ll surely make a return visit to try the rest of the dishes. Cheers!!

Food & Drink: 8.25/10

Value: 8/10

Service: 8/10

Ambiance: 7.5/10

Budget per Person: $26 - $50; $51 - $80

Cherry & Oak

95 Owen Road

Singapore 218907

T: +65 9119 4074

W: https://www.cherrynoak.sg/

F: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070937461828

IG: @Cherryoak.sg

OH:

Tue – Sun: 11.00 – 22.00

Closed on Monday

Menu is Available Online

Picanhas’ X Panquecas’ – Steak & Pancakes For The People [MEDIA INVITE]

Picanhas’ is a steak house known for serving the secondary cut of Brazilian picanha steaks, which uses a rump cap cut. Although it is part of the under-used cut of the beef, it is very popular in Brazil or part of the cuts served in Brazilian Churrascaria (Brazilian Bbq).

Picanhas' 

In May 2022, the folks at Picanhas’ opened the dessert-focus outlet, Panquecas’ next door, offering their signature items in sweet and savoury variations. Combining their ethos from Picanhas’ and Panquecas’, their motto is “Steak and Pancakes for The People”.

Picanhas' X Panquecas' Menu

LD and I tried the current special at Picanhas’, The Royal Couple ($78) consists of 200g picanha steak, 200g Angus ribeye, garlic mashed potatoes and chimichurri sauce.

The Royal Couple

Cooked to medium-rare, they look irresistible. The picanha steak is almost lean but has a nice light chewy texture. It reminds me of the texture of thickly sliced ox tongue. Meanwhile, the Angus ribeye has a nice marbling to it, with the fats in the middle. It is tender, succulent and easily melts in your mouth.

Picanha steak with chimichurri sauce,
Potatoes & Brussel sprouts

The mashed potato is creamy and velvety, while the homemade chimichurri sauce has a nice twist of spicy kick in it. LD and I notice that salt seasoning on the steak can be a bit heavy, so if you prefer a lighter seasoning, you might want to ask them to put less salt or put the salt on the side.

For the sides, we choose Potatoes ($7) & Brussel Sprouts ($7). The potatoes are double-cooked and drizzled with sriracha mayo. It has a crispy exterior with a soft and moist interior. I like the creaminess of the potato, though I am not used to the mayo.

Potatoes

The Brussel Sprouts are also double cooked, where the second part is deep-fried in oil seasoned with beef fats. The exterior of the sprouts almost tastes like the outer layer of a shallot. However, LD and I find the deep-fried of Brussel sprouts do not work for us. I think we will prefer Picanhas’ festive Brussel sprouts, boiled, tossed with charcoal butter, smoked sea salt and garlic bits.

Brussel Sprouts

Next up is Mentaiko Pasta ($19). Unlike regular pasta, the black colour pasta is made from crepe sheets, topped with onsen egg and chilli oil. On the side, it has mentaiko king prawns and furikake. The pasta has an underlying sweet & spongy texture, combined with onsen egg and chilli oil it becomes a sweet and savoury mix. The prawns are big, juicy and delicious. It is a creative and unique dish.

Mentaiko Pasta

Mentaiko Pasta

On a side note, I tried the pasta with chimichurri sauce, it was an awesome pairing.

Crepe Pasta with Chimichurri Sauce

The desserts are the creations of Panquecas’, the name which means pancakes in Portuguese. We started with Apam Balik ($14), Panquecas’ version of our local pancake. The moist crepe is loaded with ground roasted peanut, sweet corn emulsion, pasty cream and peanut butter crumble. It is super delicious and such a flavour bomb. The soft serve vanilla ice cream also topped with ground roasted peanuts gave a smooth and milky touch to the desserts. Yummy!!

Apam Balik

Apam Balik

The Velvet ($15) – Velvet-Red Crepe, Cream Cheese, Almond Biscuit Crumbs, Strawberry Pastry Cream and Lemon Glaze. Inspired by red velvet cake, this dessert is a flavour overload. You have different flavours such as sweet, creamy, cheesy, savoury and a touch of tanginess from the lemon while being balanced with the soft serve vanilla ice cream. It is a good dessert, but it was too overwhelming for us after finishing The Royal Couple.

The Velvet

As a Muslim Owned restaurant, Picanhas’ does not serve alcoholic beverages. Instead, we have a lovely mocktail such as Virgin Mojito ($12) and Alcohol-Free Wine, Elivo Zero Zero Deluxe Red ($12 per glass/ $48 per bottle) - 60% Tempranillo, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Alcohol-Free Wine, Elivo Zero Zero Deluxe Red, Virgin Mojito & Popcorn

Earlier in the day, the service staff deliver a bowl of homemade popcorn as our appetizer, after we placed our order, to enjoy with our drinks.

The Indoor Atmosphere

The décor of the Picanhas’ is gastropub like, with an open kitchen replacing the bar. The service at Picanhas’ is definitely the highlight. They are a friendly bunch that are genuinely pleased to chat with you and also provide services from the heart. As we were seated outside, we can see the crew interact with passers-by like their regular customers or their buddies. Awesome.

The Open Kitchen

Al-Fresco Seating Area

Overall, it was a pleasure dining at Picanhas’ and Panquecas’. The picanha steak and ribeye combo are a must-try, while their Apam Balik is just a flavour bomb. Will definitely return for these two great dishes. Cheers!!

The Regular Menu

Thank you very much, Parveen for the invite and Picanhas’ & Panquecas’ awesome crew for hosting us.

Food & Drink: 7.5/10

Value: 8/10

Service: N/A (Tasting Invitation) - They are Super Awesome

Ambiance: 7.75/10

Budget per Person: $26 - $50; $51 - $80

Picanhas’

90 Club Street

Singapore 069458

T: +65 9122 4326

W: https://picanhassg.com/

F: https://www.facebook.com/Picanhassg/

IG: @Picanhassg

OH:

Tue – Sun, 12.00 – 15.00; 17.30 – 22.00

Closed on Monday.

Panquecas’

92 Club Street

Singapore 069460

T: +65 9754 1909

F: https://www.faebook.com/panquecassg

IG: @Panquecassg

OH:

Tue – Sun, 12.00 – 15.00; 17.30 – 22.00 

Closed on Monday