Santi's by Sarnies Opens on Telok Ayer

Published - 07 November 2021, Sunday
  • Santi’s
  • Santi’s

Santi's, the latest concept by the Sarnies group is open on Telok Ayer. Focusing on cooking in its primal form, the Santi’s menu is driven by the open flame and quality produce while remaining low-waste. Open flame cooking also adds an extra element of flavour, best found in their Grilled Squid with kosho, shiokoji and brown butter, or a beautifully-seared Steak Au Poivre.

The menu also features slow-fermented pizza dough that incorporates many homemade elements and ferments that contribute to its great flavour. Try the Ermah-gourd ($24) with san marzano tomatoes, kabocha, whipped smoked feta and house Madras curry oil for a local touch, or Cremini ($25) with lacto-fermented mushrooms,
parmigiano crema, fior di latte and roasted garlic oil for the ultimate umami bomb in a bite. Fresh pasta only, some made with sourdough discard and whey from homemade ricotta to reduce waste; the Sourdough Pici with Zucchini Flower & Ricotta ($26), is a dish that goes full circle.

Santi’s

Santi’s range of ferments, house sauces, and oils can also be purchased by the jar - grab a bottle of their Jalapeno Hot Sauce ($12.90) or Harissa Chilli Oil ($8.90) to elevate your home cooking. The team has also partnered up with some of the industry’s best for a community cocktail menu celebrating the spirit of collaboration and creativity amidst tough times.

The first collaborative menu features Native, one of the World’s 50 Best, and their cocktail Sirens of the Sea ($19) with gin, yuzu, olive brine and rosemary; the latest on 50 Best Discovery - The Elephant Room and their best-seller The Kamasutra ($19) with caramelised pomegranate and garlic wine, as well as the must-visit destination bar Smoke & Mirrors and their well-rounded Honey Badger ($19) with rum, melon and honey.

A quarterly rotation can be expected, for the ongoing support of industry friends and local businesses. Santi’s is now open from 11am-4pm for a casual lunch with friends, and 4pm-10pm for an alfresco dinner to wind down for the evening.

a. 138 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068603

w. www.santis.pizza

e. hellosg@santis.pizza

s. www.facebook.com/santis.singapore

t. +65 8405 6112

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Sylvia Fernandes

  • 386 comments
  • ELITE
RATED 7.5 / 8

As I stepped off the curb at Telok Ayer I noticed Santi’s across the street. A modern gourmet alfresco dining, this fabulous fun and light restaurant lent such a cosy atmosphere to the open space it resides on.

I for one love alfresco dining. Daydreaming, watching people go by was a favourite pastime. Grabbing a high table that looked out to the street, I was like a pig in mud on this rainy night.

Santi's, the latest concept by the Sarnies group has officially opened. Staring me in the face was the king of it all, an open fire oven that claims to be far more sustainably friendly than wood fire or coal ovens. At temperatures as high as 400 degrees, this amazing oven churns out pizza in 5-6 minutes.

Great turnover for takeout or delivery especially for those passing by wondering what to have for lunch. Dinner gave way to a different ambience. I loved the sound and smell of rain especially when I was dry, sitting indoors, looking out.

Open for dinner from 4 – 10pm the limited menu of small plates were enough to entice me. But first, a cocktail which I was assured by Jonzen the Manager, was not sweet. Too right! I could actually taste the bitter taste which I love, originating from the gin.

I ordered the sparkling shrub – lemon & rosemary-infused gin, strawberry shrub and Prosecco. Delicious and a great aperitif. I had to try the other – Paina Rum Negroni. With pineapple infused rum, Campari, Martini Rosso and Amaro Montenegro was just as stunning. Presented in a tall wine glass, this was elegant and a pleasure to drink.

While there were only two cocktails on Santi’s menu, there were more options available in collaboration with Native, The Elephant Room and Smoke & Mirrors. What a cool concept! To collaborate with mixologists who are experts in their fields.

I am a big fan of collaboration so this was really up my alley. If only the world could drive out competition and replace it with collaboration, we would have a better outcome in the world on so many fronts. So much for my rant of the day!

Now that I had whet my appetite it was time to have some food. Deciding on lighter fare as we were running out to the Capitol Theatre for an evening with jazz, we ordered the Ohitashi Heirloom Mushrooms. What a stunning dressing – kombu dashi, white grape, red shiso and basil oil.

This paired well with the exquisitely grilled squid. Dressed with the most amazing brown butter, shio koji and kosho combination sauce. True testimony of a good restaurant - the squid was grilled so well but still managed to retain its tenderness.

Suffice to say that we held the empty plate back, waiting for the pizza to arrive so we could dunk the doughy part into this sauce. Finger licking good I say. We were already thinking of going back for another round of these two dishes.

Santi’s short for Santiago (the founder’s son) is about a dining experience in alfresco style that is made easy for conversation. It brings people together in a casual setting, encouraging people to eat, drink and be merry.

It also showcases the beauty of cooking with an open flame. Using the best produce, sustainability and low waste are top of mind. It is the perfect spot for a casual lunch, evening get-togethers or late-night pizza parties.

I already had a list of friends in mind who would love Santi’s. Our Catalan Salters Sourdough pizza arrived. In the oven for a mere five minutes grilled with roasted garlic confit, broccolini, ortiz anchovies, fior di latte and roasted garlic oil.

Seriously amazing combinations on this pizza with a crusty dough on the outside and chewy as I munched into it. The quality of food in Singapore just keeps going up and up. This was going to be a regular spot for me. Perfect to work from too as high tables afforded me a comfortable seat to watch passersby while allowing my creative mind to churn out ideas. Brilliant!

With seven pizza options on the menu it would be a good thing to have a few friends dine together so everyone could try a bit of each and decide on their favourite. It would be a hard choice though as everything on the menu was so ultra-delicious.

We didn’t have time for dessert. Had to run but with three amazing options on the list I knew I had to come back for a taste. Two of the three were my favourites too. Mille Feuille oven fried with smoked honey Chantilly and burnt nectarines. How could I not return? Even the description left me wanting. In fact the mere mention of Mille Feuille transported me back to my Dubai trip where our other Expat Choice contributor Arisa Chang lived for a few years.

With two young kids in tow we discovered amazing eateries in the Dubai Mall. Out for lunch and dinner on most days we found the best Mille Feuille at one café. It was a stroke of luck. Just like eating in a Parisian café it was a memory we both laugh about even till today as we still recall how we devoured every bite with an appreciative “ooo” and “yum”.

Today we are ever so excited when we find Mille Feuille on a menu. A hard find to say the least. Based on the food I had at Santi’s I know it will be good when I do visit again and it has to be with Arisa for a double whammy experience!

My other favourite which was on Santi’s menu was the double chocolate tart made with Manjari chocolate, yuzu tuille, smoked sea salt and crème diplomat. These desserts beckon to me that my return hopes to be even better than the first.

Santi’s here I come!

John Gordon

  • 778 comments
  • ELITE
RATED 8 / 8

Santi's, the latest concept by the Sarnies group is now officially open in Telok Ayer. This picture is from the starter menu and is nothing short of awesome - the deliciously plump and ripe Ohitashi Heirloom Tomatoes - Ohitashi tomatoes, kombu dashi, white grape, red shiso, basil oil. This dressing combination has a hint of sake. Just one to watch as it’s delicious. BTW that's me (John Gordon Founder of Expat Choice) and Sylvia Fernandes - one of our esteemed and well-read reporters who visits restaurants, bars and services like spas and hairdressers right across Singapore and shares her reports with us on http://www.expatchoice.asia #tomato #heirloom #telokayer #santis #foodaddict #expatchoicesingapore 

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