I came across Pistachio Grill by pure coincidence. I was at Wheelock Place for an errand when I saw a small crowd outside the restaurant. For those not in the know, Singaporeans love queuing for the unattainable. The more limited the product, the better. A blend of the 'kiasu' in me (Singlish term for FOMO) and sheer curiosity led me to try Pistachio Grill.
Pistachio Grill, led by Chef Khaled Elelimi serves healthier versions of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food. The menu is curated and influenced by his formal training in Ayurveda and his stint at Four Seasons Resort Maldives. Chef Khaled believes that 'good cooking involves honesty, simplicity and integrity'.
We couldn't agree more.
Pistachio Grill
The first thing that struck me about the restaurant was the unassuming decor. While the ambience exude elegance with its cream walls, birchwood furnishings and Moroccan pendant lamps - it was unpretentious and warm. The same can be said about the food. The dishes we ordered were rich and decadent but at the same time, they were wholesome and comforting.
Our appetiser came in the form of Tabouleh. I've always loved something zesty to jumpstart my palate. Tabouleh is a popular Mediterranean salad, made with finely chopped parsley, crushed wheat, mint, tomatoes, onions and spices mixed with lemon juice and olive oil. Pistachio Grill prepared this on demand to ensure that only the freshest is served.
True to Chef Kaled's promise, the salad was refreshing and light. Tangy but not overwhelming. Tasted good on its own but would go well as an accompaniment to grilled lamb or chicken, imho. The clever use of crushed wheat (as opposed to cous cous) gave the salad more texture and bite than what I was used to (in a good way, of course). Tabouleh
Next we had Lobster and Crab Bisque. Simple but the flavour packed a punch. I could almost taste the sea - the seafood was fresh and the soup was flawless. I've had my fair share of seafood bisques in many restaurants. I realised that the best ones were seasoned perfectly. Pistachio Grill nailed this one.
Lobster and Crab Bisque
The hero dish was a traditional, classic Ottoman called Sultan's Delight. The succulent, tender lamb was cooked with fresh tomato and thyme in a richly flavoured stew. I was most impressed by the delicately mashed, smoky eggplant with cheese that was served with the lamb.
Tbh, I'm not really fond of eggplants but I'll have Sultan's Delight anytime of the day. According to Pistachio's website - this dish was requested by Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon II, when she visited the Topkapi palace in the mid-19th century.
It was that good, I wasn't the only fangirl!
Sultan's Delight
Granted, we came to the restaurant, a little late. Their last order was at 8.45pm and we arrived at 8.30pm hence we were not able to try the recommended dishes like Pistachio Mixed Grill, Lamb Chops with Moussaka or the Jordanian Dates cake. In fact, the last minute addition of the Knafeh was an impromptu addition, at the request of my 14-year-old. He's a massive fan of this Ottoman dessert. Truth be told, we were not disappointed. One of the best, according to him.
Knafeh with salted caramel ice-cream
While the price range at Pistachio is not unreasonable, dinner for two can set you from SGD100++ upwards but I think it's still worth a try especially on dinner dates. Hands-down, one of the best Arabic/Mediterranean restaurants in Singapore that I've ever stepped into.
Pistachio Grill
501 Orchard Road, #02-04/05 Wheelock Place
Singapore 238880