AKIRA BACK

JW Marriott Singapore

South Beach, 30 Beach Road, S(189763)

TEL: 6818 1914

Chef-owner Akira Back formerly worked as an executive chef for Nobu Matsuhisa, which is why his menu—a fusion of Japanese, Latin and American fare—seems like an homage to what the culinary icon pioneered some 20-plus years ago. However, tastes and food have evolved, making this a chic restaurant to have some sumptuous East-meets-west dishes. Back’s AB tuna pizza, comprising a crisp pizza crust lathered with ponzu mayonnaise and thin tuna slices, is a light starter that whets the appetite. The AB Wagyu taco makes use of taro taco shells instead of cornbased ones; they’re stuffed to the brim with deliciously marinated ground Wagyu and spicy tomato ponzu (eat in one bite). Brother From Another Mother is his version of the maki roll, but elevated with an ensemble of premium ingredients—unagi kabayaki, anago tempura, shaved foie gras torchon and ponzu mayo. For heavier mains, make sure you order the 48-hour Sanchoku short rib that has been braised for so long, the meat literally falls apart.