Information
The recently-restored colonial bungalow is now home to three new F&B concepts, emphasising on Basque culture and lifestyle.
Popular Spanish restaurant UNA, formerly at One Rochester, is now relocated to the mansion’s second level.
The first floor is home to TXA, a Basque-inspired bar serving an assortment of pintxo with Spanish beers, wine and cocktails.
The Alkaff Mansion also houses the popular floral café Wildseed Café with an all-day dining menu, great for families and weekend brunches.
Comments
I was privileged to be invited to preview the Festive Set Menu from UNA at The Alkaff Mansion just ahead of the season. I proclaim with confidence, I am very experienced with the set-menu approach to dining, especially at holiday times in well-heeled eateries – not only in Singapore and abroad (pre-COVID-19. Hail the safe return of international travel).
Some dining experiences leave me with a sense that I ate too much to feel comfortable. Others feel as if I should have packed a snack. UNA had me at the mouth amuser or in more polite terms the amuse bouche.
Influenced by the Basque cuisine, the meal was beautifully presented at a relaxing pace. The updated dining room on the second floor of the historical site provides a socially safe distance, yet it strikes a cozy atmosphere.
If you have not been to The Alkaff Mansion recently, you owe it to yourself to make another visit. Set high in the trees, the mansion has new décor, fresh renovations and is well adjusted to the current challenges of indoor dining. All this and a terrific meal too.
This specially curated meal offers a tasty beginning with Iberico Ham complimented by tomato and crystal bread - a welcoming amuse bouche. The tasty morsel is an appropriate precursor to the harmonious procession that follows. Your reporter could have made a meal of the Iberico alone, but the programme for the evening halted any requests for seconds.
Next-up is the Langoustine with Avocado Lime accent, seeded avocado slices and tiny dollops of pumpkin mouse and aioli. The subtle mixture of flavors enlivened my tastebuds. The well-chosen blend of taste sensation is married with a variety of textures that arouses curiosity for what is to come.
The third offering is special indeed. On the menu, Potato and Leek Soup might sound like it belongs to another geography or venue. The special Basque inspired treat in store for you lies in the magical morsels of flavorful chorizo and sourdough croutons that bring sparkle to the well-balanced, well-known soup. This course is the perfect precursor to your main course, which is just being prepared.
There are two options for your main course. Being a self-proclaimed foodie who loves to cook at home and experiment with creative integrity, I was committed to having a taste of both choices. I am always looking for new inspiration for building flavor through combinations of ingredients. The result – I cannot tell you which to choose, as both were beautifully prepared, above all flavorsome. Each dish left my senses awakened.
The Wagyu Striploin is prepared with a Truffle Red Wine Sauce and prepared to melt in your mouth. It is accompanied with a subtle and delicious Charcoal Mash and perfectly Roasted Brussel Spouts. I was literally about to suggest to our waiter to double my order – it was so good – but this momentary thought melted away when I took a bite of option number two.
Confit Salted Cod with Piquillo Pepper Sauce is elegantly prepared and offers a bouquet of flavor. It is accompanied by Baby Potato and Grilled Gem. In new dining experiences, I would not ordinarily order a novel fish dish for my main course unless I was on the seacoast or in the country of origin. This lovely preparation is worthy of the exception.
Regardless of the main course that you choose, I earnestly invite you to the delightful surprise that is on hand for the dessert course. The “Lava De Chocolate Blanco” lists many lovely ingredients. Honestly, I often take a bite of dessert or possibly two if it pops and leave the rest behind. Most times when I am invited to experience a new menu or in this case a seasonal special menu - the precluding meal is too voluminous, or the final course falls in comparison. This finale offers a magical mixture of tastes, textures and flavors that seduced me into complete consumption. The cool white chocolate snowflake shell disguises a surprise within that is tart, sweet, cool and classy – all the way.
UNA’s Festive Set Menu is a perfect pace and combination of delicacies to enjoy your evening and feel-good festive fare. Notably, the Festive Set Menu is one of several offers in the Winder Wanderlust Christmas Program at UNA. Seating is limited in his socially distanced venue, but the ambience of both location and décor are worth the forward planning.
Some dining experiences leave me with a sense that I ate too much to feel comfortable. Others feel as if I should have packed a snack. UNA had me at the mouth amuser or in more polite terms the amuse bouche.
Influenced by the Basque cuisine, the meal was beautifully presented at a relaxing pace. The updated dining room on the second floor of the historical site provides a socially safe distance, yet it strikes a cozy atmosphere.
If you have not been to The Alkaff Mansion recently, you owe it to yourself to make another visit. Set high in the trees, the mansion has new décor, fresh renovations and is well adjusted to the current challenges of indoor dining. All this and a terrific meal too.
This specially curated meal offers a tasty beginning with Iberico Ham complimented by tomato and crystal bread - a welcoming amuse bouche. The tasty morsel is an appropriate precursor to the harmonious procession that follows. Your reporter could have made a meal of the Iberico alone, but the programme for the evening halted any requests for seconds.
Next-up is the Langoustine with Avocado Lime accent, seeded avocado slices and tiny dollops of pumpkin mouse and aioli. The subtle mixture of flavors enlivened my tastebuds. The well-chosen blend of taste sensation is married with a variety of textures that arouses curiosity for what is to come.
The third offering is special indeed. On the menu, Potato and Leek Soup might sound like it belongs to another geography or venue. The special Basque inspired treat in store for you lies in the magical morsels of flavorful chorizo and sourdough croutons that bring sparkle to the well-balanced, well-known soup. This course is the perfect precursor to your main course, which is just being prepared.
There are two options for your main course. Being a self-proclaimed foodie who loves to cook at home and experiment with creative integrity, I was committed to having a taste of both choices. I am always looking for new inspiration for building flavor through combinations of ingredients. The result – I cannot tell you which to choose, as both were beautifully prepared, above all flavorsome. Each dish left my senses awakened.
The Wagyu Striploin is prepared with a Truffle Red Wine Sauce and prepared to melt in your mouth. It is accompanied with a subtle and delicious Charcoal Mash and perfectly Roasted Brussel Spouts. I was literally about to suggest to our waiter to double my order – it was so good – but this momentary thought melted away when I took a bite of option number two.
Confit Salted Cod with Piquillo Pepper Sauce is elegantly prepared and offers a bouquet of flavor. It is accompanied by Baby Potato and Grilled Gem. In new dining experiences, I would not ordinarily order a novel fish dish for my main course unless I was on the seacoast or in the country of origin. This lovely preparation is worthy of the exception.
Regardless of the main course that you choose, I earnestly invite you to the delightful surprise that is on hand for the dessert course. The “Lava De Chocolate Blanco” lists many lovely ingredients. Honestly, I often take a bite of dessert or possibly two if it pops and leave the rest behind. Most times when I am invited to experience a new menu or in this case a seasonal special menu - the precluding meal is too voluminous, or the final course falls in comparison. This finale offers a magical mixture of tastes, textures and flavors that seduced me into complete consumption. The cool white chocolate snowflake shell disguises a surprise within that is tart, sweet, cool and classy – all the way.
UNA’s Festive Set Menu is a perfect pace and combination of delicacies to enjoy your evening and feel-good festive fare. Notably, the Festive Set Menu is one of several offers in the Winder Wanderlust Christmas Program at UNA. Seating is limited in his socially distanced venue, but the ambience of both location and décor are worth the forward planning.
What are people saying about Una?
My first Spanish cuisine experience, did not go south because of you. Foods were served with fresh ingredients, made delicious and mouth watering by a team of skilled and passionate chefs. Keep it up, this is our first time and won't be the last time.
Victor KC Tan reviewed UNA – 5 star on facebook
I had emailed them about a week in advance to try and arrange something special for me and my girlfriend's anniversary. They were extremely accommodating did their best to make the night memorable.. Which they did!
They even gave us a complimentary churros dessert with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate! They truly went above and beyond and I will be forever grateful. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough.
A special Thank you to Joseph and Zi Qiang for making our night!
James Peters reviewed UNA – 5 star on Facebook
It was a pleasant surprise for food, ambiance and services! As a tourist from HK and tasted many times authentic Spanish cousin in Spain and around the world, I would definitely recommend to my friends. Love the Suckling pig, potatoes tapas, iberico pork and whole grill fish. The server was very enthusiastic so I couldn't help tip him personally to show my appreciation.
Jenny Ho reviewed UNA – 5 star on Facebook
My first Spanish cuisine experience, did not go south because of you. Foods were served with fresh ingredients, made delicious and mouth watering by a team of skilled and passionate chefs. Keep it up, this is our first time and won't be the last time.
Victor KC Tan reviewed UNA – 5 star on facebook
I had emailed them about a week in advance to try and arrange something special for me and my girlfriend's anniversary. They were extremely accommodating did their best to make the night memorable.. Which they did!
They even gave us a complimentary churros dessert with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate! They truly went above and beyond and I will be forever grateful. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough.
A special Thank you to Joseph and Zi Qiang for making our night!
James Peters reviewed UNA – 5 star on Facebook
It was a pleasant surprise for food, ambiance and services! As a tourist from HK and tasted many times authentic Spanish cousin in Spain and around the world, I would definitely recommend to my friends. Love the Suckling pig, potatoes tapas, iberico pork and whole grill fish. The server was very enthusiastic so I couldn't help tip him personally to show my appreciation.
Jenny Ho reviewed UNA – 5 star on Facebook
