First impressions matter a great deal, and hip café Hello Arigato sure knows how to make a good one. It begins with a welcoming abode, cosy and chic, that beckons people to enter. Concrete flooring and wooden fixtures help lend a soothing, minimalist touch to the space.
But it is the menu that invites people to linger. Opened by the people behind the Japanese-influenced eatery The Refinery, the same approach has also been imbued with the selection of food and drinks to present novel plates that are as comforting as they as creative.
A freshly constructed sando, or sandwich, is the main draw here. Slices of toasted milk bread might cradle teriyaki-glazed chicken ($15) or pink-hued beef tenderloin katsu ($28). Our favourite: bread stuffed with 12-hour sous vide thick cut kurobuta pork collar ($25) – the meat is tender, juicy and full of flavour. Throw in a side of tater tots ($12) – featuring mini hash browns laced with plenty of umami from shio kombu and seaweed-hinted mayonnaise.
For heartier mains, opt for the pasta laksa ($22), comprising juicy tiger prawns, tobiko, fishcake and noodles tossed in a homemade laksa reduction. Other equally stunning options come presented as somen ($22), spiced with cold tom yum broth; or strands of mentaiko-kissed spaghetti ($22) finished with Hokkaido scallop sashimi, tobiko and lemon zest.
A tea-skewed beverage programme sees iced dirty matcha ($8) making an appearance on almost every table; its bright, toasty quality is highly alluring. Alternatively, try the sencha yuzu cold brew tea ($6.50), brewed with sencha tea leaves from Kyoto, mixed with yuzu and lime juice. And away from caffeinated drinks, Hello Arigato also stocks a neat line-up of boozy treats – from highballs ($10) to wines available by the glass ($12) or bottle (from $65). Between its unusual offerings and stylish set-ups, Hello Arigato delivers on a memorable mealtime experience that will leave you feeling impressed.
Time Out Singapore reviews anonymously and pays for all meals. Read our restaurant review policy here. What the stars mean:
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