(Closed) One77 Degrees – Singapore Expo, MAX Atria
(One77 Degrees had since ceased operations.)
Hidden away from the crowd, One77 Degrees is a relatively new bistro that serves up fusion dishes at Singapore Expo.
Being located at a location considered to be at the far Eastern corner of Singapore, One77 Degrees is a bistro that one would not expect to find at such a location. Housed in a pavilion that is adjacent to Hall 3 of Singapore Expo, MAX Atria, One77 Degrees is located fairly deep within the compound, being a bit of a walk away from Expo MRT Station. Stepping into the bistro, one would be welcomed by the cozy vibes of the interior — whilst there were attempts to achieve a whimsical look considering the mismatched furnishings hat provides a refreshing look and contrast to the overall theme, the bistro feels bright, clean and inviting with its carpeted flooring and cement walls; all of that with furniture and fittings that feature wood and metallic elements. Serving up fusion cuisine with a East-meets-West influence, One77 Degrees serves up two different menus; the main offerings would be for their two-course set meals where patrons would be able to go for their desired appetizers, meals and drinks, while the other menu features smaller bites to share around the table as well as a larger variety of beverage options which include specialty coffee. Dessert options are also available at One77 Degrees; available as ala-carts items, patrons would be able to check out the variety of desserts available in the display chiller located just beside the counter.
(“Ro-jiak”)
Going straight for the set meal option considering that we were visiting One77 Degrees during a weekend lunch service, we went for the two appetizers which were listed on the menu. Being described as a mix of local farm greens and white-pickled vegetables served with a classic spicy and sweet tamarind (assam) sauce, the “Ro-Jiak” is a fusion of western Salad with the local Chinese variant of Rojak coming together as a single dish. Featuring greens there are often seen in salad, it also features pickled cucumbers for a sour-ish crunch. The highlight of the dish would be the Rojak dip served on the side — we felt that calling it spicy and sweet may be a little far-fetched; that being said, the sauce is undoubtedly thick, yet umami and sweet with a distinct note of prawn paste that provides a punchy flavour to compliment the greens. Speckled with sesame seeds and peanuts, the sauce also helps to provide a crunch alongside the croutons that topped off the salad for additional texture. Undoubtedly simple, but so recognizable with a twist.
(Spiced Asian Goulash with Begedil)
Unlike the “Ro-Jiak”, the Spiced Asian Goulash with Begedil was an item that is slightly more complex in terms of both execution and composition. Featuring spiced tomato goulash with a Malay-style potato patty, the Spiced Asian Goulash with Begedil is also labeled as a vegetarian-friendly item on the menu. The Spiced Asian Goulash was undoubtedly satisfying in the cold weather; warm and zingy, it was already very delicious and flavourful on its own, but it also serves as a refreshing break from the Begedil which is starchy as it should, yet soft and fluffy and came with a slight hint of spices (i.e Turmeric); typical of a classic Begedil. A very innovative take on the Begedil, which is usually seen as a side item to pick from to add to various Malay-style mains.
(Teochew-Style Braised Wagyu Beef Cheek)
Having scrolled through some posts about One77 Degrees on Instagram, the Singapore Laksa “Mee Tai Mak” does seem like a popular option for patrons here. That being said, the Teochew-Style Braised Wagyu Beef Cheek that we went for was also pretty splendid. Featuring elements such as Wagyu Beef Cheek that are braised in a Chinese-spiced soy braise, the beef cheeks also come accompanied with sautéed sweet corn, Edamame, and Sous-Vide Egg, with an Asian potato purée sitting beneath everything else. Diving in straight to the Wagyu Beef Cheek, it is noted that the beef cheek was incredibly tender, juicy and succulent — very much melt-in-the-mouth without feeling particularly gamey in terms of flavour. The cubes of beef cheek were brilliantly braised, carrying a savoury note that is rich, yet not overly salty that pairs up so well to the Asian potato purée (aka mashed potato). The other elements such as sweet corn and edamame to add help to add texture to the dish, while the sous-vide egg comes with an oozy egg yolk that eagerly bursts when poked with a fork; helps to bind everything together with a silky touch.
(West Coast Barramundi with Assam Curry Rice)
Also opting for the West Coast Barramundi with Assam Curry Rice, the dish comprises of elements such as Pan-Fried Barramundi, Curry Leaf-infused Pilaf Rice, Lady Fingers, Eggplant, and Cherry Tomatoes, alongside a tangy and spicy tamarind (Assam) sauce served in a pot. To enjoy the item as intended, patrons are encouraged to pour in the Assam sauce into the bowl containing the dish in order for the flavors of the Assam to be properly infused with the other elements. Having done so before digging into the dish, the Assam sauce is the main driver of the entire item — there is some complexity with the flavors here, where one could taste the distinct notes of Assam that provides a tang to the aromatic curry flavour; the curry lacking the richness of coconut milk that is often used in a typical curry, yet nicely rounded off by the Assam, thus eradicating the jelak feel as opposed to the usual curry. We were also impressed with how the pan-fried Barramundi held up to all that sauce poured onto it; still maintaining its crispness, whilst not carrying any undesirable muddy flavour with it. The various vegetables helped to add various texture ranging from a soft crunch to a bursting zestiness that was refreshing; yet again another item that left us fairly impressed.
Opting for both the Raspberry Suprise and the Chocolate Banana Fantasia for our choice of dessert, the two cakes are essentially entremets (i.e. Mousse Cakes). Considering the price that they are being listed for (both being priced at $5), these were considerably decent but certainly had some room for improvement. We preferred the Chocolate Banana Fantasia slightly over the Raspberry Surprise; perhaps it was the banana cream layer that is hidden within the chocolate mousse which came as a “surprise” element to us as opposed to the simple Raspberry gelee found in the Raspberry Surprise. Otherwise, both cakes seem to feature wafer balls for an additional crunch that provides more texture, though we would have loved both cakes even more if the mousse were to be smoother.
(Foreground:Cold Brewed Roselle Tea infused with Orange and Garden Mint, Background: Citrus & Lemongrass Infused Home-Brewed Black Tea)
Going for both the Citrus & Lemongrass Infused Home-Brewed Black Tea and Cold Brewed Roselle Tea infused with Orange and Garden Mint, the two drinks are great thirst quenchers and are good concoctions that go well with the food. Both drinks are pretty refreshing and light on their own; the Citrus & Lemongrass Infused Home-Brewed Black Tea coming with a tea-esque aroma with a slight zing from the citrus, while the Roselle Tea infused with Orange and Garden Mint comes just a wee bit sweeter and carried a floral fragrance typical of roselle, though the mint is not quite distinct here.
Having tried the offerings on their set meal menu, we were actually pretty impressed with the meal at One77 Degrees. The entire menu seems to be carefully designed with fusion in mind; each item carrying a familiar element that is identifiable in local cuisine, yet coming with a Western twist that actually works — very thoughtful, with the details very well taken care of. The execution was also pretty refined for its price — very much a steal and certainly worth the price tag for its quality. We noticed that One77 Degrees seem to be stronger with their mains; whilst the desserts offers were not too shabby especially considering its price point, we would not mind paying a couple more dollars for a more premium offering. Service was decent, with One77 Degrees providing full table service up to the point of payment; something we appreciated in their attempt of being an affordably-priced casual bistro that emulates a fine-dining vibe. Overall, the experience at One77 Degrees was a pleasant one; no doubt the location is a little far-flung, but the experience is certainly worth making the trip for if one is looking for a serene and well-decorated spot that is away from the crowds — somewhere which we would not mind visiting again to check out the other mains that they have to offer.
One77 Degrees Singapore Expo, MAX Atria (outside Hall 3) 1 Expo Drive Singapore 486150
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