HazelDiary

Araya located at Mondrian Singapore Duxton stands out as the first fine-dining South American establishment in the city. The restaurant emphasis on Chilean South Pacific cuisine infused with indigenous and Japanese ingredients. It is the latest addition to the Culinary Arts Group, which also boasts Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant Hamamoto and popular open-fire grill eatery, Revolver.

Read more: [SG EATS] Araya At Mondrian Singapore Duxton | South American Fine-Dining Cuisine With Chilean Focus

Situated within Mondrian Singapore Duxton, Araya is a cozy 30-seater space led by the culinary expertise of Michelin-starred Chef Francisco Araya and Chef Fernanda Guerrero. The main dining area features a 12-seat rose quartz counter that provides an intimate view of the chefs at work. For large groups, there is also a private room available with a minimum spending requirement of S$4,000.00++.

Araya offers a singular dining experience with its Menu Degustacion prices at S$298++ per person tasting menu for dinner along with a vegetarian option, Menu Vegetariano at S$298++ per person. The courses showcase a fusion of South American flavours with Japanese elements, and a wine pairing option is also available.

We started off with a series of snacks including Ama Ebi Tomato Meringue, Tepache (fermented pineapple juice), and Corn Flan with Murasaki uni marinated in white shoyu.

The bread course, La Panera introduces three distinct Chilean breads- Marraqueta, Chapalele and Chorizo.I enjoyed the trio freshly baked bread complemented by Butter Merken, a Uruguayan butter infused with merken.

Following the bread course, the refreshing Ceviche features Hokkaido scallops marinated in shio koji with tiger’s milk sorbet and a medley of flavours.

The Causa course presents Araya’s take on potatoes and caviar, incorporating oca,yellow chillies and lightly smoked chutoro.

A standout dish is the Moqueca, a traditional Brazilian fish stew featuring gently poached kinki fish with a flavorful moqueca sauce made from kinki bones, palm oil, and coconut milk. Interesting!

The following course features exquisite harmony of 154 days aged Ecuadorian cacao. It’s rich and velvety taste perfectly complementing the succulent essence of Bresse pigeon intensifying the richness of flavors.

Transitioning to the “Sunday Lunch” segment, highlighting the traditional Chilean snack, the Empanada takes center stage. Crafted with wagyu beef, it is elegantly adorned with a pebre gel (a Chilean condiment typically comprising coriander and/or parsley) and delicate micro herbs on top.

For the final savory course, we had Picana presenting Wagyu beef with vibrant chimichurri sauce.

Palate cleanser before moving on to our sweet treats.

The dessert experience unfolds in three acts. The first, Desierto Florido features crushed honey orange meringue, chirimoya alegre espuma, and mango-pineapple-infused orange flan.

Antarctica, the second dessert offers goat’s milk ice-cream, crispy milk, cinnamon anglaise, Patagonian blackberries, and dulce de leche.

The grand finale Carrito De Dulces involves a dessert trolley presenting single-origin chocolates from South America for patrons to choose from. We get to choose whichever type of chocolate from the dessert trolley.

While unfamiliar to many, Chilean cuisine takes center stage at Araya offering a refreshing addition to Singapore’s dining scene. The carefully crafted dishes, attentive service, and unique flavour combinations position Araya as a strong contender for a Michelin Star in the future. I would recommend giving it a try for an exquisite dining experience.

Address: Araya 
Mondrian Singapore Duxton 
83 Neil Road, #01-08 
Singapore 089813 
Tel: +65 8870 0871 

Opening Hours:  Tuesday to Saturday 6:00PM to 11:00PM (Last order at 9:00PM) 
Closed on Sunday & Monday 

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for insta updates

Elan situated at Shaw Centre is a modern French restaurant by Les Amis group. The restaurant is in the same row as Les Amis, Mui Kee and other Les Amis concepts. They took over the previous restaurant, La Strada. My friend and I were planning for a catch-up session, and we decided to book here for lunch as they are offering a set lunch menu priced at S$60.00++ per guest on Saturdays too. I saw online reviews that the set lunch menu was previously priced at S$70.00++ per guest. So, I guess there is a price adjustment going on. Read More

Moxie, a Modern Mediterranean restaurant and lifestyle concept inspired by coastal culinary journeys. Nestled at the Medical Alumni Association Clubhouse on 2 College Road, the restaurant is just 5 minutes’ walk from Tiong Bahru MRT Station. Moxie is helmed by Group Executive Chef Steven Chou who brings a wealth of experience from Michelin-starred kitchens at Danny Meyer’s The Modern and The Public in New York, as well as a recent position as culinary director of Resorts World Genting. Read More

Hanazen situated in the CHIJMES dining and entertainment hub in the heart of the City Hall district has recently launched a brand-new menu. The menu is meticulously crafted by Chef Taisei Iwao. Chef Taisei, who serves as the Executive Chef at the Michelin-starred Lumiere and owns Karato in Osaka. Read More

Ginger. Lily located on level five (5) in Hilton Singapore Orchard has launched Nikei-Inspired Afternoon Tea. The botanical-inspired lobby lounge and bar offers not only afternoon tea, but artisanal cakes meticulously crafted by Chef Cindy Khoo and craft cocktails inspired from native herbs, flowers, and spices. This new chapter of the afternoon tea is inspired by the flavours of Nikkei cuisine, presenting a harmonious synthesis of Japanese and Peruvian elements. Read More

Honbo located at Chijmes, Singapore is the first overseas outpost by the home-grown burger joint in Hong Kong. The burger restaurant first opened in 2017 along Sun Street in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. The brand’s unique rendition of American-style burgers crafted in-house by hand and fresh ingredients. Expect to enjoy the banquette seats and high stool counter seats when you dine in their Chijmes outlet. Read More

Ikkoten Omakase located at Telok Ayer Street showcases culinary odyssey through the rich yet clean-tasting flavours of traditional Kyoto cuisine. Translated to English as “ Paradise on Earth”, the word “Ikkoten”or“一壺天” is derived from the Japanese legend about a magical jar that contains a magnificent world filled with fine wines and bountiful feasts. Helmed by Executive Chef, Brandon Low, a Singaporean trained under various Japanese chefs. Although Chef Brandon is young, he has close to 10 years of experience in Japanese cuisine. Read More

TINTO Spanish Restaurant located at Dempsey Hill opens its door on 9 May. This latest restaurant is Chefs Daniel and Tamara Chavez, husband-and-wife first Spanish restaurant as a couple. TINTO is inspired from the Spanish name for red wine, vino tinto. Expect to indulge for soul-warming tapas, paellas, fideuas, Spanish wines, and so much more. Read More

*Updated June 2023*
The restaurant is now known as Bar & Billiard Room

Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse welcomes the springtime bloom with refreshed menu featuring season’s first produce prepared in traditional Italian cooking accentuated with modern elements. Chef de Cuisine Natalino Ambra showcases innovative dishes that encapsulate an assortment of the seasons’ finest produce such as asparagus, green peas, broad beans, and the exquisite Amalfi Lemon. Read More

Eden Restaurant located in Pullman Singapore Orchard has a stunning glasshouse with captivating views and beautiful light filled spaces. Diners can enjoy different kinds of ambience at this all-day dining restaurant. The lush glasshouse has plenty of natural light in the day if you are looking for a nice lunch spot in Orchard or go for a romantic dinner date at night. The restaurant heralds the Asian delicacies from port to destination. From authentic classics to reimagine for today’s modern palette by the team. Read More