Opened since last August, the neighbourhood restaurant has gained a loyal following who has taken to its contemporary tapas, wood-fired mains and nicely executed steaks, along with a good selection of wines to pair with the food.
The kitchen is led by chefs who had stints at Tapas Club, Kulto and Gaig Singapore, so the wood-fire Josper grill in the heart of their kitchen is all too familiar for them to work its magic to lend dishes that deep sear and smoky character, be it beef, pork or seafood.
Diners will now be spoilt for more choices with new additions of hot and cold tapas such as the ceviche de pulpo ($14), the salmorejo ($12), the smoked Japanese mackerel ($14) and the cod fritters ($18). The restaurant has also expanded their steak selection with eight different cuts to cater to individual diners or for sharing.
Much of what accompanying the dishes is handcrafted in-house. For instance, the chimichurri for the Padrón Peppers ($12), the chilli oil for the Gambas al Ajillo ($16) and Charred Cabbage ($12), and the ssamjang aioli sauce for the Secreto Ibérico ($45). These handcrafted elements complement the wood-fired flavours rather than overpower them.
Drinks are an equally important part of the Viva Lavender experience. It helps that its wine list doesn’t intimidate, offering a good selection of mostly Old-World wines by the glass and by the bottle. And available from Mondays to Thursdays before 8pm, diners with a food order can enjoy house pour wines at 50 per cent off the second glass and cocktails at 20 per cent off.
