A Bolder & Brighter Bochinche

Bochinche, Singapore’s foremost Argentine restaurant loosens up this October. Featuring a fun, casual look and more relaxed price point, Bochincha adds a unique gourmet market, fresh new menu and more casual vibe.

Beautifully grilled grass-fed beef from the plains of Argentine are featured strongly on their new menu. Other additions include a Cold Bar featuring light and refreshing Argentinean starters, as well as a selection of mouthwatering sides to complement the perfect grills. There is also an exciting Grocer Market bursting with a host of over 100 top-notch Argentinean and European produce allows you to bring home a touch of Argentinean flavor.

Bochinche’s new Gourmet Market is a haven for foodies. Carefully curated by Chef Diego, it features nearly 100 specialty products and 80 bottles of wine. Our chefs and food experts at Bochinche are also on hand to provide cooking tips and wine pairing suggestions.

Grass-fed Argentinean beef in various cuts such as fillets, ribeye, sirloin, and burgers as well as our house-made chorizo are available alongside 15 types of charcuterie including Italian salumi and Spanish hams. Pantry basics include a variety of olive oils, vinegars, condiments and spices. Bochinche’s signature Provoleta cheese and French cheeses are available. Sweets on offer are the addictive dulce de leche, alfajores, organic jam and honey.

Beyond the grocer, I walk between the open kitchen to their right and bar to their left, under a cratewood constructed drop ceiling covered with hanging air plants. The kitchen bangs out interesting appetizers, killer juicy steaks, while impeccably trained waiters serve remarkable wines. Its new relaxed menu is crafted around a robust grill, classic hot starters, a refreshing cold bar and over ten complementary sides.

I started my dinner with a plate of Grilled Octopus ($13) with creamy potatoes leeks and tuna mayo. The octopus was first sous-vide to achieve its flavor and tenderness, before char-grilling it for the fragrance. The octopus and tuna combination sounds weird to me initially, but the marriage of both turns out well.

They also have other appetizers such as Caramelised Pork Belly ($21), Roasted Bone Marrow ($13), Beetroot and Tomatoes Salad ($15) and a range of Empanadas ($6 each).

When someone thinks about the food in Argentina, beef is always the first thing to come to mind. You will find that Argentine beef is definitely a little different than beef in other parts of the world. In most parts of the world, the cattle tend to be grain fed. In Argentina, they have lots of space and the cattle is generally grass fed.

At Bochinche, they specially imported Argentinean beef, the freshest ocean catch and free range poultry. Bochinche’s exclusive imported grass-fed beef provides a true taste of the country’s iconic pampas. El Perdido has been rearing premium beef for three generations, focusing on the history and tradition of breeding cattle.

Owned by Ricardo Braida, El Perdido Angus cattle is raised on high-quality alfalfa on free range. Grass-fed beef is widely acknowledged to be more healthy and more flavourful, and the Braida family’s quality beef is highly regarded in both Argentina and the European Union. Ricardo himself cares for the animals everyday, looking after every detail of their growth before hand-selecting quality products for Chef Diego and his restaurants.

I ordered a plate of Lomo ($75) which features a beautiful 300g of beef fillet. It is a good and lean introduction steak to what Argentina has to offer. The meat is grilled perfectly – tender without losing its shape. Sitting at the counter, I clearly witnessed how my beef is cooked. They don’t really season the meat here, but the fact that it is cooked on grilled gives a nice smoky taste. I hoped they would come up with a ladies portion next time, as I merely finished half of it only.

To assuage the guilt from the fat in the beef, I ordered a refreshing plate of Radicchio, pear and endives salad ($9). It didn’t impress. On the other hand, their award winning chips “Provenzal” ($10) is very addictive. It is soaked overnight in chilled water, simmered, poached, then fried and tossed with a gusting of spices, parsley and garlic. I can even smell the chips before it landed on my table.

If you are not a beef fan, go for their Whole Sea Bass ($35) with tomatoes and toasted almonds, or Lamb Chops ($45) with anchovies, salsa verde and chopped mint.

Ended my night with lemon and raspberry tart ($15) – a refreshing mix of sweetness and tanginess. If only the tart base was a little softer and more moist, it would be perfect.

The formerly sleek and modern restaurant goes more eclectic, buzzy and bright space inspired by both vintage and street styles. Guests enter the restaurant through the gourmet market. This new retail section features a series of product displays inspired by traditional vendors’ carts.

The bar features a new palette of dark greens and blacks. After a full meal, I enjoyed a glass of cocktail by the balcony – Mr Hendricks ($19), a refreshing mix of Hendrick’s gin, egg white, Japanese cucumber, lemon and mint. It is a perfect spot to enjoy an alfresco cocktail in the leafy surroundings.

DBS and POSB Card members are in for a treat at Bochinche. Receive $10 return voucher with minimum spend of $80. This promotion is available till 31 July 2015. For other F&B promotions under DBS, please visit here (http://dbsindulge.thecellcity.com/indulge/microsite/).

BOCHINCHE
Address: 22 Martin Road, #02-01, Singapore 239058
Tel: 6235 4990
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun, 11am – 11pm. Closed on Mondays.
Website: http://bochinche.com.sg