NEON PIGEON

1 Keong Saik Road, S(089109) TEL: 6222 3623

Dark, brooding and urban, this modern Japanese izakaya restaurant serves up fusion Japanese and Asian cuisine in a quirky, clubby and boisterous ambience. From the Birdfeed section, the crispy softshell crab, ensconced in pillowy bao with black pepper teriyaki sauce and pickled cucumber, is comfort food that hits the spot. The air-flown Sakoshi Bay oysters are lightly marinated with dashi foam and spicy yuzu sauce, and topped with a sprinkling of dried laver. With a fresh squeeze of lemon, each oyster becomes a memorable treat. The fried octopus is tender and delicious, and is served in a rich sauce with marinated spinach. The smoked baby back ribs in sake barbecue sauce, on the other hand, are fall-apart tender and sumptuous all the way to the bone. While the waitstaff are friendly and knowledgeable, attentiveness and promptness could be improved.